More communities reached in stunting prevention in Cipanas, West Java.

With the support from PT. Mitsui Indonesia and KIN, we are able to mentor another 10 new Posyandu (community health posts) and assist 100 pregnant women to have a healthy pregnancy. With nutritional packages as well as continued monitoring throughout their pregnancy, we hope that they not only deliver healthy babies but also gain the knowledge they need about stunting and how to prevent them.

The success of bringing down the stunting rate in Cipanas down to a mere 7% in 2021 involved not only the efforts of the pregnant mothers but also the community directly, especially the community leaders and volunteer health workers (kader). 50 kader from the 10 Posyandu will receive training they need to develop their knowledge and skills to successfully prevent stunting in their respective communities. This time, the existing community leaders together with the kader on the ground will work hand in hand to deliver the knowledge and information in order to increase the awareness of the community around the issue of stunting.

The Indonesian government has targeted stunting reduction to 14% by 2024. Currently the national stunting prevalence is at 24%. YUM’s holistic approach to stunting prevention covers:

• Distribution of basic food packages to pregnant and breastfeeding mothers from vulnerable families.

• Distribution of iron supplement tablets and implementing a hemoglobin level check for pregnant mothers.

• Support to the Posyandu and volunteer health workers to ensure access to key health services for pregnant mothers and children under 2.

• Increase the knowledge of volunteer health workers by organizing training on the importance of stunting prevention, prenatal and postnatal counseling, importance of sanitation, hygiene and nutrition as well as child- rearing advice.

• Communication campaigns, in collaboration with volunteer health workers, on stunting, sanitation and hygiene in order to increase local awareness

In addition, support from KIN includes the distribution of milk for pregnant mothers in order to increase their calcium intake, as well as the benefits of vitamin D and protein.