Vice President Ready to Expand Free Nutritious Meals in Asmat, Partnering with Churches

Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka has stated his commitment to advancing the implementation of the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme in frontier, outermost, and underdeveloped (3T) regions, such as Asmat Regency, with potential collaboration with local churches. “We need to highlight that we are fighting for the President’s priority programmes in 3T areas. MBG, for example, must be championed here in Asmat,” the Vice President told reporters after inspecting a Sago Field School in Asmat Regency on Sunday. Regarding the programme’s implementation in the region, he noted the potential for executing MBG in cooperation with local churches and school canteens. By involving various parties in the MBG rollout, it is hoped the reach of President Prabowo Subianto’s priority programme can be broadened. During the visit, the Vice President also brought five university students from various public and private institutions to observe grassroots conditions, particularly in 3T regions. “So, we will fight for the President’s programmes in 3T areas, and we will follow up after returning from Asmat,” he said. The Regent of Asmat, Thomas Eppe Safanpo, who accompanied the Vice President, expressed that the MBG programme has had a significant positive impact on his community, especially for schoolchildren, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers. Thomas explained that before MBG was distributed in several schools in Asmat Regency, student absenteeism was quite high. However, after the programme’s introduction, attendance increased as students knew they would receive lunch at school. He added that providing MBG to pregnant and breastfeeding mothers in the region would help reduce stunting rates in Asmat Regency.