During a working visit here on Sunday, Minister Wihaji highlighted the unique funding model of the initiative: "The number of foster children has nearly reached one million, and that is without using the state budget."
The Genting program is specifically designed as a collaborative, community-based movement, relying on financial and logistical support from external partners, including corporations, State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs), and individuals, rather than relying solely on central government funds.
The Genting program focuses on what the Minister terms "super-priority tasks," which demand immediate, fast action without the complications of standard bureaucratic processes.
These tasks involve direct intervention to resolve high-risk situations, covering both nutritional and non-nutritional needs.
The Minister offered concrete examples of this approach during his North Sulawesi visit.
In Wusa Village, North Minahasa District, the Ministry deployed a Genting partner, Rumah Zakat, to directly assist residents by funding house building to improve living conditions.
Similarly, in Pandu Village, Manado City, the focus was on building wells and safe housing, addressing the critical issue of sanitation and clean water access—key factors underlying stunting risk.
Wihaji underscored the urgency and collaborative spirit required.
"If there is potential for stunting, we will immediately resolve it... We must work together; we cannot do it alone," the minister said.
He explained that handling stunting requires this acceleration, noting that under normal governmental procedures, "to provide assistance takes a long process, so those super-priority issues must be addressed immediately."
Before concluding his visit, Minister Wihaji joined the Chairperson of the House of Representatives (DPR) Commission IX, Felly E. Runtuwene, for a technical facilitation event and personally visited the families at risk of stunting in Wusa Village and Pandu.
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Translator: Karel, Kenzu
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
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