Safeguarding children’s growth and development means safeguarding the nation’s future. However, the challenge of stunting remains a serious shadow in the journey toward a healthy and high quality future for children. According to data from Indonesia’s Ministry of Health, the 2024 Indonesian Nutritional Status Survey (SSGI) shows that the prevalence of stunting in Indonesia reached 19.8%. The government is targeting a significant reduction to 14.2% by 2029.

Driven by a spirit of collaboration and a commitment to real change, CARE Indonesia (Yayasan CARE Peduli/YCP), with support from its partners AMMAN Mineral, the Indonesia Deposit Insurance Corporation (LPS), and Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI) has taken an active role in accelerating stunting reduction efforts. A holistic approach, combining both specific and sensitive interventions, is being implemented in the districts of West Sumbawa, Bandung, and Nagekeo. Health conditions for children and pregnant women are being improved through specific interventions, such as the uninterrupted provision of Additional Nutritious Meal (PMT) Recovery for 90 days to stunted children and pregnant women experiencing Chronic Energy Deficiency (CED).

Beyond just nutrition, this effort also integrates health and social aspects. It does not solely focus on nutritional recovery, but also targets women’s empowerment, parenting reinforcement, nutrition education, and gender equality awareness placing families and communities at the heart of change. The four star PMT meals are prepared and served by the Healthy Kitchen to Address Stunting (DASHAT) cadres, following the standards set by the Ministry of Health. CARE Indonesia’s stunting reduction programs are customized for each intervention area based on their specific conditions and needs.

In West Sumbawa District (KSB), CARE Indonesia, supported by PT Amman Mineral and the KSB Regional Government, has been implementing the program in 16 villages since 2022. A total of 372 children with stunting, 47 children with wasting, and 17 underweight children received uninterrupted 90 day PMT over two phases: December 2023 March 2024 and June September 2024. The program also targeted 85 pregnant women with CED, who received 30 day PMT during two implementation phases.

CARE Indonesia’s program not only focuses on PMT provision but also emphasizes other aspects such as family education through DASHAT and parenting classes. The program is strengthened by cadre training, women’s empowerment initiatives, youth forums, nutrition gardens, and access to clean water. This comprehensive approach has resulted in a significant reduction in stunting rates.

Women’s economic empowerment is also a key component. Through Women’s Self Help Business Groups (KUMP), women in the 16 villages receive training and mentorship on financial management and entrepreneurship. Additionally, Women Farmer Groups (KWT) and DASHAT ensure a steady supply of nutritious food sourced from local produce such as homegrown vegetables and catfish farming in buckets, which benefit the groups and can be sold to the community.

The program’s outcomes are encouraging. Based on data from the Si-KEBAS Stunting application, 30% of children recovered from stunting status, and 87% experienced weight gain of more than 200 grams per month. Furthermore, 70% of pregnant women with CED recovered and gave birth to babies with normal weight.

Baiq Julianti, a mother from Ai Kangkung Village in KSB and a PMT recipient, shared her gratitude. “In June 2024, my child weighed 10.4 kilograms, and by September, he weighed 11.5 kilograms. Raffa’s height also exceeded the average growth rate he was 80.4 cm in June, and 83.7 cm in September. That’s an average monthly weight gain of 0.4 kg and a height increase of 1.1 cm,” she said.

In Bandung District, the stunting reduction program is conducted in partnership with LPS and the local government. Implemented in three villages in Pangalengan Subdistrict from September to December 2025, the program reached 182 children and 58 pregnant women with CED through 90 day PMT, alongside education and capacity building activities for cadres and parents.

Beyond PMT provision, the program focuses on strengthening community capacity. This includes cadre and community training through parenting classes, establishing village nutrition gardens as sources of healthy food, and developing “budikdamber” (fish farming in buckets) to support household food security. All these efforts aim to drive behavior and environmental changes that support sustainable child development.

Iis Sumiyati, a DASHAT cadre from Banjarsari Village, expressed her appreciation for the program. She said she was happy to contribute directly to reducing stunting in her village. “I really appreciate CARE Indonesia for supporting the Banjarsari community. Children receiving PMT have shown significant progress some gained up to one kilogram and grew one to two centimeters in height,” she explained.

Currently, the program in Pangalengan is in its second phase, targeting 368 beneficiaries both children and pregnant women with CED. The 90 day PMT intervention is being implemented again with the hope of accelerating recovery and ensuring optimal child growth.

Meanwhile, in Nagekeo District, East Nusa Tenggara Province, the stunting reduction program is being implemented in Jawapogo Village and Mauponggo Subdistrict. In partnership with BNI Berbagi and the local government, CARE Indonesia has been running the program for 50 children and pregnant women with CED since May 2025. In addition to PMT, the field team provides contextual and practical education to mothers on preparing nutritious meals for everyday use.

As in the other two regions, stunting reduction goes beyond food intake and includes supporting factors such as local food availability and parental knowledge of childcare. DASHAT cadres in Jawapogo and Mauponggo manage nutrition gardens that supply food for children’s nutritional needs. In parenting classes, parents are taught various skills, including how to prepare meals that appeal to children.

Maria Marselina, mother of Jevan a PMT recipient from Jawapogo Village shared how much she learned from the program. She saw not only physical changes in her child but also felt more confident in creating healthy menus. “My child’s height has increased by 5 cm and weight by 0.9 kg after receiving PMT. There’s now an egg every day in our meals as recommended. From that, I learned how to make good menus at home for my child,” said Marlina.

The efforts made by CARE Indonesia and its partners go beyond simply distributing supplementary food they represent a commitment to building a stronger ecosystem for child development. By combining health, social, and community empowerment approaches, this program proves that sustainable change can only occur when communities are empowered together. Every child who escapes stunting represents a new ray of hope for a stronger, healthier, and more resilient future for the nation.

Writer: Kukuh Akhfad
Editor: Swiny Adestika