To address the issue, the minister provided assistance through the Genting Program, short for Gerakan Orang Tua Asuh Cegah Stunting (Foster Parents Movement to Prevent Stunting), which targets KRS through indirect interventions such as clean water access, sanitation improvement, and parenting awareness.
"We go directly to the field to emphasize the importance of the Foster Parents Movement to Prevent Stunting because, in addition to nutrition, sanitation and access to clean water are key factors," Wihaji stated in an official release from Jakarta on Tuesday.
During his visit to three locations in Makassar, the minister provided comprehensive assistance to local residents, including nutrition packages and proper sanitation facilities.
At the first site, the minister met a pregnant mother named Ngaliya, accompanied by her husband, Sahar. Ngaliya has two children and earns only around Rp400 thousand per month by selling funeral flowers.
When asked about their food supply, Ngaliya said they usually buy rice by the liter and manage with whatever is available when the supply runs out.
Hearing this, the minister stressed the importance of sustainable food assistance and ensuring that pregnant mothers have access to nutritious meals.
At the second site, Wihaji delivered a hygienic toilet unit provided by Rotary District 3420 to Musdalifah Musdar, who is seven months pregnant. She lives in a small, simple house with her husband and siblings, and they have no toilet at home.
Musdalifah’s husband works as a day laborer, and six people currently live under one roof. Without their own toilet, the family relies on neighbors when they need to use one.
At the third location, the minister provided another hygienic toilet — this time donated by Rumah Zakat — to a couple named Adam and Kasma, who live in a house built from worn wooden planks with an inadequate toilet.
"The government is present, but we cannot solve everything at once due to limited resources. That is why we involve community movements, including foster parents," he stated.
Wihaji noted that the government and its partners have distributed nutritional assistance for five months to 200 children, totaling Rp800 million in value.
In addition, two areas in Panampu Sub-district, Makassar, have received support for toilet construction, and their progress will continue to be monitored.
He emphasized that government presence does not always require direct intervention but can also be achieved through community collaboration.
"These children did not choose to be born into such conditions. It is our duty, as those who are able, to step in and support them," Wihaji concluded.
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Translator: Primayanti
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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