TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) Sudaryono is mulling the opportunity to distribute free nutritious meals in conflict-prone regions. The agency, Sudaryono said, is preparing a special mechanism to ensure children in these locations still have access to nutritional programs.
According to Sudaryono, BGN is partnerting with the indonesian military (TNI) and the National Police (Polri) in piloting the program. In its implementation, BGN also utilizes public facilities, including churches, as distribution points for nutritious meals.
"For example, free nutritious meals for children in conflict-prone areas. We are also currently considering the mechanism for this," Sudaryono said in a press conference at the BGN Office, Kebon Sirih, Central Jakarta on Wednesday, July 29, 2026.
The proposed distribution aims to ensure that all Indonesian children, including those in conflict and remote areas, continue to have access to nutritional improvement.
In addition to preparing a scheme for free meal distribution in conflict areas, Sudaryono mentioned that BGN will strengthen the preparation of free nutritious meal menus through collaboration with the Ministry of Health.
BGN plans to convene with nutritionists, pediatricians, and other specialists before August 5 to gather inputs regarding menus, nutritional content, and strategies to tackle regions with high stunting prevalence.
When asked about the lack of operational MBG kitchens in Papua, which was widely discussed on social media, Sudaryono acknowledged that the distribution of services in Papua and eastern Indonesia remains a concern for the government.
He mentioned that similar conditions also occur in several other regions such as East Nusa Tenggara and Maluku. "Papua, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), and then Maluku, all have their challenges. We want to improve what is indeed important and urgent to be fixed," he said.
Read: Will Indonesia Build 13,000 New Free Nutritious Meal Kitchens?
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