Ministry of Population and Family Development to Renovate Homes of Stunting-Risk Families via 'Genting' Programme
Ciamis, West Java (ANTARA) - The Minister of Population and Family Development (Mendukbangga)/Head of BKKBN, Wihaji, stated that the Foster Parent Movement to Prevent Stunting (Genting) programme targets not only the nutritional needs of children but also the improvement of living conditions for families at risk of stunting.
“Why focus on stunting risk? It starts with sanitation, hygiene facilities, and ensuring houses are liveable, as some may currently be inadequate,” said Wihaji during a visit to a high-risk family in Ciamis Regency, West Java, on Tuesday.
Wihaji noted that the family visited is one of approximately 8.6 million stunting-risk families (KRS) recorded in Indonesia. The household in question consists of nine members, including nine children. According to the Minister, the family’s housing and sanitation conditions are aspects that require immediate attention.
Through the Genting programme, the Ministry of Population and Family Development/BKKBN is collaborating with foster parents to provide direct interventions to these families. To assist the family in Ciamis, Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI) has acted as a foster parent, providing support worth Rp50 million for home renovations.
The assistance is not provided in cash, but rather through the direct construction and repair of the house. “We will ensure that sanitation facilities are built, the house is repaired, water access is secured, and bedrooms are improved,” Warga stated.
He added that the construction and renovation work will be carried out by a BRI team and is targeted for completion within approximately three months. Wihaji described this intervention as a manifestation of the government’s direct presence in addressing stunting risks on the ground.
“This is part of the government’s presence, as I have been instructed by the President not to merely hold seminars and discussions, but to go into the field to solve problems,” he explained.
He further emphasised that managing stunting-risk families requires cooperation from various parties through a pentahelix approach, including the government, civil society, the business sector, and family mentors.
The visit to the family was part of Wihaji’s agenda in Ciamis following a meeting with approximately 1,000 members of the Family Mentoring Team (TPK). During the occasion, Wihaji also expressed his appreciation for the involvement of BRI and the local community in assisting at-risk families.
“Today we visited and assisted two families, which is part of the government’s active presence,” he said.
The two families visited by Wihaji included that of Nahdi Riyanto, who has two children but lacks adequate sanitation, and that of Endang Kuswara, whose nine-member household living in a single house increases stunting risks. In addition to housing aid, the BKKBN West Java Provincial Representative also provided ten chickens to help meet nutritional needs, specifically protein, for both families.