The initiative, funded by the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA), was inaugurated by Jayapura Mayor Abisai Rollo, who said the program will provide nutritionally balanced supplementary food to pregnant women and toddlers.
The food will be produced through a community kitchen model, using local ingredients and adhering to food safety standards.
"This intervention reflects our strong commitment to ensuring that children in Jayapura grow up healthy, smart, and free from stunting," Rollo said.
He added that the program will also strengthen the capacity of community health centers (puskesmas) and integrated health post (posyandu) cadres in delivering nutrition services, while promoting healthy lifestyles among mothers and young children.
Rollo expressed appreciation for UNICEF and CIDCA's support, which he said enabled the program to be implemented quickly.
Running from 2025 to 2026, the PMT program will target nine priority health centers and posts. It will also include vitamin A distribution, routine growth monitoring, and the use of electronic data systems to track effectiveness.
Acting Head of UNICEF Papua Office, Pria Santri Beringin, reaffirmed the agency's commitment to helping local governments expand access to quality nutrition services through community-based approaches.
"Support from CIDCA is a vital driving force in ensuring that no child or pregnant woman is left behind," Beringin said.
He expressed hope that the program would become a model for community-driven nutrition initiatives, addressing malnutrition while fostering cross-sector collaboration and community participation to build a healthier generation in Papua.
Related news: Govt ensure implementation of stunting prevention program in Papua
Related news: Papuans asked to consume local foods to address stunting
Translator: Ardiles Leloltery, Kuntum Khaira Riswan
Editor: Anton Santoso
Copyright © ANTARA 2025
