The risk is even higher because they have lost their place to live, sanitation, and the environment. Stunting is very much influenced by the environment, (availability of) nutrition, latrines, and clean water.
Yogyakarta (ANTARA) - At least 300 families at high risk of stunting have been affected by the recent earthquake in Cianjur, West Java, Head of the National Population and Family Planning Agency (BKKBN) Hasto Wardoyo has said.



"About 300 families who are at a high risk of stunting have been affected by the Cianjur earthquake. They need more serious attention," he informed on the sidelines of the 'Socialization and Training of Religious Counselors in Accelerating the Reduction of Stunting in Yogyakarta' on Wednesday.



According to him, at least 300 families who are at high risk of stunting have been recorded as the target recipients of government assistance for underprivileged families.


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"Families at high risk of stunting have the characteristics of being of childbearing age but lacking facilities," Wardoyo added.



Hundreds of these families need serious attention from various parties, including the BKKBN, because the impact of the earthquake has increased their stunting risk, he observed.



"The risk is even higher because they have lost their place to live, sanitation, and the environment. Stunting is very much influenced by the environment, (availability of) nutrition, latrines, and clean water," he explained.



So far, the stunting rate in West Java province has reached 24 percent, while the stunting rate in Cianjur district has been recorded at 25 percent, Wardoyo said.



He informed that the BKKBN has deployed counselors who will give special attention to families at risk of stunting.


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In addition, BKKBN has also provided assistance for the Cianjur quake victims through partnerships.



"We do indeed have a partnership budget for activities to help disaster victims, but some are voluntary from many parties," he said.



According to the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), the 5.6-magnitude earthquake struck Cianjur district at 1:21 p.m. local time on November 21. It was centered 10 kilometers (km) southwest of the district at a depth of 10 km. It did not have the potential to trigger a tsunami.


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Translator: Luqman Hakim, Resinta S
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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