Ministry of Social Affairs Proposes Involving Social Volunteers in Nutritious Meal Distribution to Elderly

The Ministry of Social Affairs has proposed to the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) to involve social volunteers in delivering free nutritious meals (MBG) to elderly persons and persons with disabilities.

“We are involving volunteers from the Ministry of Social Affairs for the elderly because they are aged 75 and above, so the volunteers can deliver the MBG and also provide care as they already have capacity in this field,” said Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf at an iftar gathering with teachers and students at the People’s School held at ICE BSD Tangerang on Friday.

Affectionately known as Gus Ipul, the minister added that the involvement of Ministry of Social Affairs volunteers in delivering MBG is still being refined and tested.

Last year, the Ministry of Social Affairs already conducted a pilot targeting 100,000 elderly persons and 36,000 persons with disabilities. The Ministry subsequently conducted a simulation with the target this year to reach 300,000 to 400,000 beneficiaries.

“So the larger the number of MBG beneficiaries in the elderly and persons with disabilities categories,” he said.

Regarding MBG recipient data, the minister continued, the BGN will be assisted by recipient criteria from each district and city through mayors and regents.

This is done to ensure that the MBG programme is better targeted and the recipient criteria also fall within the elderly and persons with disabilities categories.

“We have coordinated twice with Professor Dadan regarding this programme. There is a transformation in the delivery of MBG to the elderly and persons with disabilities,” he said.