I am urging the local governments to reorganize all programs, activities, and budgets related to boosting the decline in child stunting in their regions
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Vice President Ma'ruf Amin has called on local governments to remap all activity programs and budgets related to facilitating swifter decline in stunting among children and in regions.

"I am urging the local governments to reorganize all programs, activities, and budgets related to boosting the decline in child stunting in their regions," Amin stated at the virtual national coordination meeting to discuss efforts to accelerate stunting prevention in 2021 here on Monday.

Remapping the work program and budget is crucial to evaluate activities that had not been evenly conducted and halted on account of the COVID-19 pandemic, he explained.

"Remapping is the key to knowing which programs are still running, which are uneven, and which ones are stopped during the pandemic," Amin stressed.

Through the process of remapping, Amin noted that the local governments can formulate plans for subsequent activities by optimizing various funding sources. Thus, all services related to prevention and reduction of stunting can reach the target groups in the region, he expounded.

Related news: Stunting rate expected to reduce to 14 percent by 2024

Amin also reminded the local governments to ensure that all stunting prevention and reduction programs in the regions can appropriately serve the target recipients, as the funding came from several ministries and non-ministerial government agencies.

"The challenge is how to ensure that the entire program, for which budget allocation comes from several ministries, non-ministerial agencies, and others, can be focused on the regions and be received by the targeted households," the vice president pointed out.

Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy; Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian; Minister of Villages, Development of Disadvantaged Regions and Transmigration Abdul Halim Iskandar; and Minister of National Development Planning (PPN / Bappenas) Suharso Monoarfa gave directives at the coordination meeting.

Related news: BKKBN appointed to lead Indonesia's stunting rate reduction efforts

Translator: Fransiska N, Kenzu T
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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