BGN coordinates MBG distribution as schools close due to forest and land fires
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) is coordinating with disaster task forces and regional governments to arrange the technical distribution of the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme to students after schools were closed due to forest and land fires (karhutla).
BGN Head Sudaryono said that through the coordination function involving disaster task forces, which include the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), it is hoped that the Nutrition Service Units (SPPG) or MBG kitchens can arrange the technical mechanism on the ground.
He assessed that in emergency response conditions, coordination is important because in several regions conditions remain prone to forest and land fires, forcing regional governments to adopt policies shifting learning activities either to distance learning (PJJ) or temporarily closing schools.
In his presentation, the BGN Head confirmed that West Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan and South Kalimantan had experienced situations where several SPPGs had already cooked meals for students, only to find that the targeted schools had been closed.
“Because of the forest and land fires, schools were suddenly closed. The food that had already been cooked was then still managed through a mechanism whereby it was collected by the students’ parents,” he said.
Nevertheless, he added that this distribution mechanism is conditional, only because the relevant SPPG kitchens had already cooked, and distribution is currently temporarily halted because the schools are closed.
“So, we have issued a circular with the SOP so that when schools are on holiday, the only day meals are not provided is the first day, if cooking had already been done. During distance learning, while students are not attending school, the school is not provided with meals,” he said.
He stressed that the BGN has issued an official standard operating procedure (SOP) so that MBG handling in disaster-affected areas can proceed in an orderly manner, on target, and without disrupting safety or the forest and land fire response process.