Humanities roundup: Free Nutritious Meals during Ramadan and presidential cattle aid for disaster survivors
Jakarta (ANTARA) - A number of humanitarian stories on Wednesday attracted significant reader attention and remain worth following this morning, ranging from the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme during Ramadan to presidential cattle aid received by disaster survivors.
These stories can be revisited in the following summary.
1. National Nutrition Agency urges food service units to creatively prepare local foods beyond ultra-processed products for Ramadan MBG
The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has urged Nutrition Fulfilment Service Units (SPPG) to be more creative in preparing local foods beyond factory-made or ultra-processed food (UPF) products when serving Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) during the month of Ramadan.
“SPPG units can create creative menu items based on local wisdom to prevent the serving of UPF in MBG during Ramadan,” said BGN Head Dadan Hindayana when contacted in Jakarta on Wednesday.
2. Child ending life in PPU serves as warning that Indonesia faces child suicide emergency
The Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) has stated that the case of a child ending their life in Penajam Paser Utara, East Kalimantan, represents the fourth such case in 2026, serving as a stark warning that Indonesia faces an emergency regarding children ending their lives.
“This is the fourth case of a child ending their life in 2026. And this is a severe warning,” said KPAI member Diyah Puspitarini when contacted in Jakarta on Wednesday.
3. Ministry of Health explains reasons for dismissal of Dr Piprim as civil servant
The Ministry of Health has stated that the dismissal of Dr Piprim Basarah Yanuarso as a civil servant was due to his being absent for 28 consecutive working days or more following a transfer, which was classified as a serious disciplinary violation.
When contacted in Jakarta, Ministry of Health spokesperson Widyawati explained that Dr Piprim had previously been transferred from Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital (RSCM) to Fatmawati Hospital at the end of March 2025.
4. Government attends to meugang tradition for disaster survivors in Aceh
Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian, who also chairs the Task Force for the Acceleration of Post-Disaster Rehabilitation and Reconstruction in Sumatra, conveyed the government’s attention to the meugang tradition for disaster-affected communities in Aceh ahead of the holy month of Ramadan.
During a coordination meeting on post-disaster rehabilitation and reconstruction in Sumatra with the House of Representatives in Jakarta on Wednesday, Tito affirmed that recovery efforts focus not only on physical reconstruction but also on the social and cultural aspects of local communities, as exemplified by meugang.
5. Presidential cattle aid received by disaster survivors in Central Aceh
Presidential cattle aid intended for the meugang tradition has been received by disaster survivors in Sumatra, specifically in Central Aceh.
In Toweren Uken village, Lut Tawar sub-district, Central Aceh regency, Aceh, on Wednesday, cattle weighing approximately 90-100 kilogrammes were slaughtered by residents who will use the meat for meugang ahead of Ramadan.