BKKBN to Lead Stunting Reduction Program in Indonesia

Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy delivers a press statement at the Presidential Office, Jakarta, Monday (25/01). (Photo by: PR/Rahmat)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo ordered the National Population and Family Planning Agency (BKKBN) to coordinate the implementation of stunting reduction program in Indonesia.

“(The President) has decided that BKKBN will lead the stunting handling program,” Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy said at the Presidential Office, Jakarta, Monday (25/01).

The President also ordered to focus budget allocations related to stunting reduction programs spread across more than 20 ministries/agencies to a number of ministries only.

“He ordered that it should be focused on several ministries that do have direct downward extension,” said Muhadjir.

The BKKBN activities concerning efforts to accelerate stunting reduction will be supported by several of these ministries/agencies. In addition, regional governments are also expected to play their roles, especially those with high stunting rates.

President Jokowi, Muhadjir stated, aims for a near 14% stunting rate in Indonesia by 2024.

The Minister further said that stunting rate in Indonesia in 2019 was 27.6% and it is estimated that the rate will increase in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

So, to achieve the target of 14% by 2024, he added, each year a decrease in stunting rate of 2.7% must be achieved. “This is a tremendous target, therefore the President has provided directives for extraordinary steps,” he said.

The President has also ordered that the mapping results of stunting in Indonesia be used as a basis for policymaking. “The President said that the mapping is actually very detailed and clear. He emphasized that it should be used as a basis for us to make concrete, detailed, and measurable steps until 2024,” the Coordinating Minister said.

Based on World Bank data, the stunting rate of workforce in Indonesia has reached 54%. “So, 54% of our current workforce are survivors of stunting. This is why the President gives very special attention to this stunting problem,” he said. (FID/UN) (FI/MMB)