Prevent Stunting, City Government and Lions Club Distribute Complete Additional Food Packages

One of the beneficiaries is Rindi Oviatun (32 years), a resident of Ujungberung District. He has three children who are still toddlers.

"This is my last child, he is 1 year old. Thank God, I received assistance in the form of cash," said Rindi at the event for Providing Assistance to Children at Risk of Stunting on Jalan Ir. H. Juanda Rear 501 RT 05 RW 01 Dago, Monday 5 June 2023.

He said the cash assistance would be used for children's needs, especially for nutritional intake.

"I work as a housewife. My husband works as a freelance daily labourer. Hopefully, with this money, I can meet my child's nutritional intake and achieve a weight according to his age," she said.

Responding to this, Acting Mayor of Bandung, Ema Sumarna said, as many as 6,326 children in the city of Bandung suffer from stunting. However, from the latest data the stunting rate has decreased.

"I got data, there are currently 5,548 children stunting in the city of Bandung. At least the national target of 14 percent has been achieved," said Ema.

According to Ema, stunting is not only related to the problem of poverty, but also regarding the feasibility of the living environment.

"The Rutilahu that we have to think about are 8,331. This is still our homework throughout the city of Bandung," he said.

He added, the handling of stunting was not only solved by the government, but there had to be commitment from within the parents.

"There must be a commitment from oneself to use these funds properly according to their purpose, namely to increase nutritional intake for children," he added.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Population Control and Family Planning Service (DPPKB) for Bandung City, Dewi Kaniasari explained, the Assistance Program for Stunting Children and Mothers Fostering Children (BAAS) is one of the Bandung City Government's efforts to reduce stunting rates from 26.4 percent to 19.4 percent. year 2022.

"In our RPJMD, in 2023 the target is 19.01 percent. Then in 2024, the target is 14 percent," said Dewi.

To support this, the Bandung City Government received additional food package assistance to prevent stunting from the Lions Club. In the early stages it was given to 20 stunted children.

"This assistance is distributed by PKK members to be processed in healthy kitchens to overcome stunting (Dashat). Each child gets Rp. 500,000 for the next 6 months," he said.

The initial stage of BAAS is a survey conducted on 24-26 May 2023 to the homes of stunted children who have received additional food assistance.

"Phase two today is a symbolic handover. Apart from the Lions Club, we are also with academics, namely Parahyangan University in the form of milk for 75 pregnant women in Cidadap District and Sumur Bandung," he continued.

In addition, the Bandung City Government is also working with BUMN PT. Post and the National Food Agency to hand over chicken meat and eggs to 147 targeted people in the village.

Then, Litawaty Wijaya, Head of the Bandung Ceria Lions Club said, her party would continue to contribute to solving social problems such as assistance with eye examinations, diabetes, hunger, one of which was stunting, childhood cancer, and flora and fauna.

"On this 30th anniversary, our target is to eradicate stunting. Indeed, currently there are only 20 children, but we will invite other members to help," said Lita. (din)**

Head of the Bandung City Communication and Informatics Agency

Yayan A. Brilyana