CARE Indonesia, Author at Care Indonesia

Campaign to Raise Voices Against Violence Towards Women

Commemorating the Indonesian Women’s Movement Day on December 22, the Resilience Fighters Anti-Violence Solidarity Community (Perisai), together with the Empowerment Network for Resilient Women (Jekata) from Sukabumi and Purwakarta, supported by CARE Indonesia, held a leisurely walk at the Car Free Day event on Sudirman-Thamrin Street, Jakarta, attended by 40 participants.

Aspiration was also expressed through the reading of poems, theatrical performances, and chants with the theme of anti-violence against women. Over 100 aspirations and community support messages were written on a wish tree. On this occasion, the Commissioner of the National Commission on Violence Against Women, Siti Aminah Tardi, also expressed her support.

Remembering 20 Years After the Asian Tsunami: Ruin, Recovery and Resilience

Stories

[December 26, 2024 – Bangkok, Thailand] – Twenty years ago, the world witnessed one of the most devastating disasters in modern history. On December 26, 2004, a powerful 9.1 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Indonesia, triggering a massive tsunami with waves reaching up to 30 meters high, devastating millions of lives across 14 countries. The Indian Ocean Tsunami caused the loss of over 227,000 lives, with Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Thailand among the hardest hit.

Aceh, Indonesia

Aceh, Indonesia, suffered the greatest losses, with about 170,000 lives loss. “I arrived in Aceh in mid-January 2005, and what I witnessed was beyond imagination,” said Renee Picasso Manoppo, Humanitarian and Emergency Response Manager at CARE Indonesia. “Entire buildings were flattened, fields replaced what used to be homes, and bodies were everywhere. It felt like all hope had vanished.”

The response to the tsunami faced immense challenges. Thousands were left homeless, communication relied solely on satellite phones, and coordinating aid was daunting, with hundreds of flights arriving daily in Banda Aceh. Despite these obstacles, CARE Indonesia delivered clean water, sanitation, housing, health services and livelihood supports to over 350,000 people in Banda Aceh, Aceh Besar and island of Simeulue, paving the way for long-term recovery. The tsunami-related program concluded in 2009, leaving a lasting impact on the regions. “Today, Banda Aceh especially, has come a long way,” reflected Renee. “Disaster preparedness is now deeply ingrained. Schools teach children how to respond to crises, and communities are better equipped to face future challenges.”

Mullaitivu, Sri Lanka

In Sri Lanka, the tsunami claimed 30,500 lives and left widespread destruction. Mullaitivu, a coastal region, was among the worst affected. “When the sea pulled back, we thought it was drying up, not knowing what was coming. My father-in-law saved my son and me by holding onto a tree, but he lost his life to the waves.” said Vasthiampillai Jeyarani, a survivor. She is one of many whom CARE worked with to rebuild home and supported long-term recovery in her community. Beyond immediate relief, a district-level Disaster Management Center was established to prepare for future crises. This has become vital during Cyclone Fengal, when early warnings saved lives and property.

Today, women in Northern Sri Lanka are at the forefront of rebuilding efforts. Many have started small businesses, such as food production and handicrafts, helping to support their families and boost the local economy.

Andaman coast, Thailand

In Thailand, the tsunami claimed over 5,000 lives, devastating the Andaman coast, a popular tourist destination. While much of the media attention during the tsunami focused on international tourists visiting Thailand during the holiday season, local fishing families faced the lasting impact. Over 500 fishing boats, ten trawlers, and essential infrastructure were destroyed, leaving many without homes or livelihoods.

Raks Thai Foundation (CARE Thailand) focused on non-tourist areas such as Krabi, northern Phang Nga, and Ranong, where aid was limited, to support vulnerable communities, including the Moken; an indigenous community, and migrant workers. To avoid duplication and inefficiencies in relief efforts, the team introduced community-owned revolving funds. “The principle was simple – provide cash directly to affected people instead of preselected relief items,” said Promboon Panitchpakdi, Executive Director of Raks Thai Foundation. Communities managed the funds, setting repayment terms to ensure sustainability.

For the Moken, an indigenous seafaring community, these funds were transformative, allowing them to repair boats and restore their traditional seafaring way of life. The initiative supported immediate recovery and laid the foundation for long-term resilience.

20 years after Indian Ocean Tsunami

“As we mark 20 years since the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami, we reflect on a tragedy that changed the global humanitarian landscape. The 2004 tsunami was a turning point not just for CARE, but for the entire humanitarian community. It taught us the importance of coordination and the resilience of the human spirit. Today, we face increasingly frequent and complex crises, worsened by climate change, which disproportionately affect the poorest and most vulnerable, especially women and girls.

At CARE, we have learned that addressing humanitarian crises demands more than immediate relief. It necessitates supporting recovery, building resilience, and proactively preparing for future shocks. We are committed to community-led early warning systems, disaster preparedness, and livelihood protection. As challenges grow, so does our resolve to help those most affected by climate change to adapt and thrive,” ended Ramesh Singh, Asia Regional Director.

Tsunami images

Indonesia Tsunami – click here
Thailand Tsunami – click here and Thailand Recovery click here

For media enquiries, please contact:

Sarita Suwannarat, Asia Regional Communications Advisor

Email: Sarita.Suwannarat@care.org

20 years of Tsunami – Aceh, Indonesia

Stories

On 26 December 2004, the world witnessed one of the worst humanitarian crises in history—the Indian Ocean Tsunami. Aceh, Indonesia, was the hardest hit. In Indonesia alone, the casualties reached an estimated 170,000, leaving a lasting impact on the region and its people. Here, we share conversations and reflections with our colleagues in Indonesia as they look back 20 years ago.

Facing the immediate aftermath

“I arrived in Aceh in mid-January 2005, and what I witnessed was beyond anything I could have imagined. The devastation stretched as far as the eye could see—entire buildings flattened, open fields where houses and buildings once stood, and bodies everywhere. The scale of destruction felt like all hope for life was gone,” said Renee Picasso Manoppo, Humanitarian and Emergency Response Manager at Yayasan CARE Peduli (CARE Indonesia).

Although he wasn’t with CARE when the tsunami struck, Renee was working in the humanitarian sector, contributing to the global effort to save lives in Indonesia. “My work focused on distributing aid to meet urgent needs, particularly water and food supplies, with water being in especially high demand. Most of our efforts were concentrated in Banda Aceh, Calang, and Meulaboh.

The responding process presented significant challenges, especially regarding shelters. Relocating people to new areas was difficult, and the legal aspects of rebuilding homes were difficult, as many homes were completely destroyed. Infrastructure was in ruins, and communication relied solely on satellite phones or Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) technology, as all other signals were down. This made coordination extremely challenging, particularly as it was Indonesia’s first experience with a disaster of this magnitude. The logistical demands were immense, with hundreds of aid flights arriving daily in Banda Aceh, creating bottlenecks and further complicating distribution efforts,” Renee recalled.

The challenges and recovery

By 2006, during the recovery phase, devastation was still visible. “Ships rested on top of houses, and massive vessels were stranded in the middle of the city,” said Awalia Murtiana, Program Manager at Yayasan CARE Peduli (CARE Indonesia). “During my time there, earthquakes were frequent and unpredictable -happening during lunch, while sleeping, or even in meetings. They didn’t last long, but many residents were still deeply traumatized whenever the ground shook,” she recalled.

Although Awalia was not with CARE at that time, her work focused on addressing reproductive health issues in tsunami-affected areas including strengthening the capacity of local districts to manage reproductive health data systems, and distributing essential reproductive health kits to affected communities.

“During the rebuilding process, local residents initially struggled to adapt to the influx of volunteers and workers from around the world. However, the immense need for local labor fostered resilience among the community. Many women took on roles such as security guards and other jobs. It was enlightening to see women, who traditionally worked in the fields, embracing these non-traditional roles.” Awalia recalled.

Aceh Today – A legacy of resilience

“The progress in Aceh is extraordinary,” Renee said. “Community-based disaster risk reduction has expanded significantly, and disaster preparedness is now deeply ingrained in the community. The Aceh Disaster Management Agency (BPBA) is highly active, with evacuation facilities, routes, and signs established throughout the region. Schools have even incorporated disaster response into their curricula, ensuring children are better equipped to face future crises,” he continues.

The Aceh Tsunami Museum serves as a poignant reminder of the past, a place where visitors can confront the magnitude of the tragedy and learn from its lessons. ” Aceh has come a long way. it has emerged stronger and better prepared to face future challenges,” Awalia added.

CARE Indonesia responded immediately to the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, delivering lifesaving aid and driving long-term recovery efforts for impacted communities. The program reached over 350,000 people in Aceh, providing clean water, sanitation, housing, livelihood support, and health services. Completed in 2009, the tsunami program laid the foundation for ongoing efforts, with CARE Indonesia continuing to support vulnerable communities and strengthen their resilience against future disasters.

Image from Indonesia: Click here

Photo credit: Renee Picasso Manoppo / May 2005

Shifting Mindsets as a Key Aspect in Producing Female Leaders

Stories

Women’s involvement in decision-making spaces in Indonesia still requires considerable effort. According to data from Indonesia’s Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) in 2023, the proportion of women in managerial positions is only 35.02%. The underrepresentation of women is also evident in the composition of the 2024 Merah Putih Cabinet, where only 10.42% of the 48 ministers are women, with just five female ministers. Therefore, increasing women’s involvement and representation in leadership positions must be encouraged through government policies and societal mindset changes.

Novita Anggraeni, Gender and Social Inclusion Specialist at Yayasan CARE Peduli (YCP), explained that the low participation of women in decision-making spaces is influenced by social and cultural factors, where male dominance still prevails. “This perspective continues to persist and affects decision-making in public spaces, such as society, the workplace, and even politics. Men are still given more space and authority, while women often have to work harder to take on strategic roles or to participate in decision-making in these spaces,” she said.

Moreover, Novi shared that society’s views on female leadership are improving, although not yet ideal. “Although it is not perfect, society’s mindset about women in leadership has begun to change. Democracy in Indonesia is a vast battleground for female leadership. Women have the potential and the space to show their quality as leaders in public spaces,” she added.

Novi further emphasized that efforts to change mindsets and build a new perception of female leadership require significant time and must involve the younger generation. “We need to encourage the perspective of women and men as equal partners, who respect and appreciate each other based on human qualities rather than gender or traditional gender-biased labels,” she said.

Support for women in decision-making roles is also reflected in government policies, such as the Indonesian Law No. 12 of 2003, which mandates political parties participating in elections to ensure that women’s representation is at least 30%. According to data from the General Elections Commission (KPU), women’s representation in parliament has been steadily increasing. In 1977, women made up 8.04% of the members of the People’s Representative Council (DPR), and in 2024, this has risen to 21.9%.

Female Leaders at the Grassroots

In line with the government’s vision, Rifa Zunatin, a member of the Women’s Economic Group (KUEP) of Perempuan Tangguh Peduli in Musi Banyuasin Regency, emphasized that women should indeed be involved in decision-making processes, starting from their own communities. “For example, in village development, it should accommodate the needs of women. Therefore, women must be given space to express these needs,” Rifa asserted.

According to Rifa, women have the same qualities and abilities as men to be leaders, such as decisiveness, empathy, logic, and management skills. She encourages herself and the women around her to take on roles in society. “Women must be brave enough to voice their opinions. It is not a problem if women hold positions like village head or neighborhood association leader. For me, the ability to observe things in detail is an advantage that women have over men.”

Rifa further explained that building collective awareness about female leadership requires consistent socialization that is widely accepted. Therefore, she actively participates in various groups and encourages other women to join. “I participate in many organizations such as study groups, youth gatherings, women’s farmer groups (KWT), and women’s economic groups (KUEP). I also encourage women to join various activities by explaining what they will learn and gain from being part of these organizations,” she added.

Rifa also realizes that for a woman to become a leader or enter decision-making spaces, support from those around her is crucial. She shared her experience of receiving negative remarks for spending too much time outside her home on activities. “As a mother and wife, support from my husband and children is essential. Without their support, I certainly wouldn’t be able to engage in activities outside the home. For me, open-mindedness and support from neighbors are also crucial for my activities,” she concluded.

Written by: Kukuh A. Tohari

Editor: Swiny Adestika

Depok Residents Trained in Household Organic Waste Management through Maggot Cultivation

Stories

The management of household organic waste is one of the aspects that must be carefully considered. According to data from the National Waste Management Information System (SIPSN), in 2023, the amount of waste in Indonesia reached approximately 40 million tons per year. In addition, according to data from the Depok City Environment and Cleanliness Agency, 900 to 1,000 tons of waste are disposed of daily at the Cipayung Landfill (TPA), Depok, in 2023. However, according to the same source, the Cipayung Landfill’s capacity is unable to accommodate the amount of incoming waste. In response, the Depok City Government has also urged local residents to separate their household waste to reduce the volume entering the Cipayung Landfill through the Depok Go Clean (D’Gober) program, as outlined in the Mayor of Depok’s Instruction No. 13 of 2024 on the Waste Management Movement.

Airlangga University stated that using maggots from the Black Soldier Fly (BSF) is an effective step to manage organic waste. One kilogram of maggots can decompose 2 to 5 kilograms of organic waste per day. According to information from Gadjah Mada University, maggots also have economic value that can benefit those cultivating them. Maggots can be sold live or dried as animal feed. The maggot waste, known as maggot droppings (kasgot), can also be used as fertilizer for plants.

Seeing the potential of organic waste management through maggot cultivation, the CARE Peduli Foundation (YCP), supported by the Dedication to the Nation Program from Bank Indonesia, provided technical training in maggot farming and organic waste management to 260 households in Depok City. In collaboration with Biomagg, in addition to training on organic waste management, participants were also empowered with knowledge on gender equality within households. Participants were encouraged to understand that both women and men have equal roles and responsibilities in the family, so household chores are not solely the responsibility of women but also of men.

Agus Tri Wahyono, Program Manager at the CARE Peduli Foundation, explained that the collaboration between YCP and Bank Indonesia focuses on strengthening the involvement of the majority of women at the neighborhood (RT and RW) levels. Active participation by these groups is emphasized in managing household organic waste and enhancing financial literacy with a gender-responsive approach, considering the economic potential that can be derived from maggot farming. “The organic waste management training using maggots is conducted in 10 sessions. Each training session has two parts, with one session focusing on household financial literacy, involving both women and men in the household, an introduction to gender equality, and an explanation of maggot farming and its benefits. Each session is attended by 10 to 15 participants,” he said.

Agus further added that all participants not only received information about managing waste through maggot farming but also received maggot seeds and a Bio Box package from Biomagg, a container for growing maggots to decompose waste. “The maggot seeds will be ready for harvest after developing for 15 to 20 days and will range in size from 0.3 cm to 1.5 cm. Then, the training participants can sell the ready-to-harvest live maggots to Biomagg, the program’s collaborator, for Rp4,000 per kilogram or use them personally,” he explained.

Arniah Purwanti, one of the participants from Tapos District, Depok, stated that she was interested in joining the maggot management training because it could bring economic benefits. Previously, she faced difficulties selling the maggots she raised. According to her, with the organic waste management program implemented by YCP, she now knows where to sell the maggots she breeds. “I saw on social media that maggots can be sold. But it turns out that marketing them was very difficult. Now, I know where to sell the maggots, so it’s much easier,” Arin said.

Furthermore, Arin explained that she and her colleagues, who also attended the workshop, have agreed to manage the maggots collectively. “At our place, organic waste, recyclable waste, and residual waste are separated, so it’s easier to process, and there’s no need to sort it out anymore. With maggots, before the organic waste starts to smell, we take it first to feed the maggots,” concluded Arin.

Author: Kukuh A. Tohari

Editor: Swiny Adestika

Protection of Bintan Island’s Mangrove Ecosystem Through Women’s Empowerment

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Traveloka, in collaboration with CARE Indonesia and the Ecology Foundation, is working to protect mangroves by empowering women in Berakit Village, Bintan Regency. During the program launch on Monday (12/9), 1,000 mangrove seedlings were successfully planted out of a target of 50,000 seedlings in the buffer zone of the marine conservation area. The active involvement of women’s groups is not only aimed at preserving the mangrove ecosystem but also in seedling cultivation and strengthening the economic empowerment of the women’s groups.

Traveloka and CARE Indonesia Collaborate to Strengthen Mangrove Ecosystem Protection in Bintan through Women’s Groups Empowerment

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Bintan, December 9th, 2024 – Traveloka, Southeast Asia’s leading travel platform, has partnered with CARE Peduli Foundation (CARE Indonesia/YCP) through its Pahlawan Pohon initiative to plant 50,000 mangrove seedlings in the buffer zone of the Marine Conservation Area. This collaboration also includes the formation of Women’s Economic Business Groups (KUEP) to unlock local economic potentials from key local commodities. Set within a 14,000-hectare mangroves forest, this initiative supports Indonesia’s goal of achieving Net Zero Emissions by 2060 and aligns with the government’s vision to reforest over 12 million hectares of degraded forests, fostering a green and blue economy, ensuring food security, enhancing climate resilience, and strengthening community robustness.

The program launch was attended by Secretary of Marine and Fishery Office Riau Islands Province, La Ode M. Faisal; CEO CARE Peduli Foundation, Dr. Abdul Wahib Situmorang; representatives from Traveloka; village officials; and local community leaders.

Caesar Indra, President, Traveloka, stated, “Traveloka’s collaboration with CARE Indonesia underscores our commitment to sustainable tourism through initiatives like Pahlawan Pohon, which focuses on environmental preservation and community empowerment. With 150,000 mangrove trees, already planted or planned across key regions—including Kepulauan Seribu, Central Java, West Nusa Tenggara, Bali Island, and Kepulauan Riau—this initiative is expected to drive significant benefits for environmental sustainability and local economies.”

Secretary of Marine and Fishery Office Riau Islands Province, La Ode M. Faisal welcomed the collaboration, highlighting the importance of protecting the 14,000 hectares of mangroves spread across Bintan Island. “To ensure the conservation areas in Bintan District are effectively utilized, activities like we do today are highly encouraged. The mangrove planting initiative involving the local community is expected to yield greater success, as community support is essential to prevent potential acts of destruction. By engaging the community, we strongly support this effort and hope that the women’s groups and community members involved can participate wholeheartedly and achieve positive outcomes,” he said.

CEO of CARE Peduli Foundation, Dr. Abdul Wahib Situmorang, emphasized the program’s focus on community involvement, particularly the Women Mangrove Warriors, a local women’s group. He explained, “The conservation and sustainable use of mangroves have long been part of the local wisdom of Berakit Village, especially among the sea tribe, who utilize marine products like fish and shellfish to produce various processed foods. Women play a pivotal role in this program—not only through seedling propagation and planting but also in strengthening the local economy through digital literacy, financial education, and producing value-added mangrove-based products.”
Dr. Abdul also elaborated on the formation of the Women’s Economic Business Groups (KUEP), which aim to enhance women’s financial independence and community development. “KUEP serves as a platform for women’s groups to pool savings, access small loans, and engage in collective decision-making. Through entrepreneurship training, we hope these groups can seize broader economic opportunities beyond mangrove conservation and improve their financial independence, while also supporting the growth of a sustainable, environment-based economy,” he concluded.

#SayaBerani: Story and Voices Against Violence Against Women

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Violence against women remains a serious issue in Indonesia. According to data released by the National Commission on Violence against Women (Komnas Perempuan) in 2024, there were 34,682 women who became victims of violence. Sexual violence recorded the highest number, with 15,621 cases, while psychological violence amounted to 12,878 cases, and physical violence reached 11,099 cases. Additionally, other forms of violence totaled 6,897 cases. This violence does not only occur within households but also in public spaces such as workplaces. In 2019, Komnas Perempuan reported 2,988 cases of violence against women occurred in households, while 2,521 cases were reported in community settings, including workplaces.

One of the common forms of violence is Gender-Based Violence and Harassment (GBVH) in the garment industry, which poses a serious threat to its workers. According to data from the Federation of Factory Workers (FBLP), in 2016, sexual harassment was prevalent in garment factories, with 99% of the workers being women.

Ima Trisnawati, a member of the Bipartite Cooperation Institution (LKS Bipartit) and part of the GBVH case handling team at PT Dasan Pan Pasific Indonesia, emphasized that awareness and participation from various parties are essential to create safe spaces and workplaces for workers, especially women workers. According to Ima, one of the challenges faced is the low reporting from victims of the violence they have experienced. “Victims often feel insecure and fear being blamed. Therefore, the presence of LKS Bipartit and the GBVH case handling team is crucial to protect the victims,” she said.

In agreement with Ima, Maksimus Takake, HR Manager at PT Dasan Pan Pasific Indonesia, stated that Gender-Based Violence and Harassment (GBVH) must be dealt with firmly. He believes that LKS Bipartit, consisting of employers, workers, and LKS Bipartit management, can be a solution to creating a safe workplace for women. “LKS Bipartit should be able to handle cases of sexual violence in the company. The case resolution process must also be communicated to management to find the right solution. We support gender equality by creating a comfortable workplace free from sexual violence,” he explained.

Not only the violence experienced in the workplace, but also the low reporting of domestic violence (DV) is a significant problem in Indonesia. A study from Muhammadiyah University Palembang in 2023 found that many domestic violence victims are reluctant to report because they do not understand existing laws, feel ashamed, or consider the violence as a normal part of domestic life. Many also choose not to report for the sake of their children.

Seeing this fact, Badriah, a member of the Empowerment Network for Resilient Women (JEKATA) in Bojonglongok Village, Sukabumi District, stated that awareness and support from the community are crucial in fighting domestic violence cases. “It is very important because it can help the victim from further violence and also prevent similar violence in the environment. We are also accompanying two victims of domestic violence to report their cases to the police,” she said.

JEKATA, as explained by Badriah, acts as a support system for the community. Formed through the assistance of CARE Indonesia, JEKATA focuses on assisting cases of violence against women.

Awalia Murtiana, Program Manager of CARE Peduli Foundation (YCP), explained, “JEKATA is involved in integrated case handling and support, both at the family, community, and workplace levels related to GBVH,” she said.

Currently, according to Awalia, JEKATA is present in Sukabumi and Purwakarta Districts, with a total membership of 520 people. Membership is open to formal and informal women workers, as well as housewives. JEKATA is also active in various women’s empowerment activities, such as women’s schools, cooking classes, legal empowerment training, as well as advocacy and case handling. “JEKATA is also involved in following up GBVH cases with the police or other authorities. The hope is that women who are victims of domestic violence or other violence can receive the justice and safety they deserve,” she said.

Violence against women, both in households and workplaces, requires attention and concrete action from various parties. Through shared awareness in the commemoration of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, the appropriate support and empowerment of women can create a safer environment and promote gender equality. Let’s raise our voices, fight against violence, and provide support to victims, especially women, to ensure they receive the justice they deserve.

Author: Kukuh A. Tohari

Editor: Swiny Adestika

Partners Appreciate the Business Products of 13 Women’s Groups in MUBA

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CARE Indonesia hosted a visit from representatives of Cargill, Walmart, and Mars from the United States, accompanied by PT. Hindoli, to engage directly with 13 Women’s Economic Business Groups (KUEP) supported by CARE Indonesia. The visit took place in Tegal Mulyo Village, Musi Banyuasin District (MUBA).

In addition to listening to the program’s progress presentation from the CEO of CARE Indonesia, Dr. Abdul Wahib Situmorang, the guests also had the opportunity to see, taste, and purchase products produced by KUEPs from various villages, including woven crafts, processed food products, and beverages.

BPOM Mataram Appreciates the PMT Menu from the DASHAT Team in KSB

Stories

According to data from the Indonesian Nutrition Status Survey (SSGI) in 2022, the prevalence of wasting among children in Indonesia is 7.7% and stunting is 21.6%. Therefore, the provision of Additional Nutritious Meal (PMT) has become one of the strategies introduced by the Ministry of Health Republic Indonesia (Kemenkes RI) to address stunting. The PMT menu must also meet the standards set by Kemenkes, which include a four-star menu with components from carbohydrates, vegetables, animal protein, and plant-based protein.

The DASHAT (Healthy Kitchen to Overcome Stunting) team in West Sumbawa (KSB) has prepared a high-quality PMT menu for children with stunting, wasting, and underweight conditions, as well as for pregnant women with anemia and Chronic Energy Deficiency (KEK). The role of the DASHAT team is part of the Stunting Acceleration Program, a collaboration between PT Amman Mineral, the West Sumbawa Regency Government, and CARE Peduli Foundation in 16 villages.

Winartutik, Head of the National Food Security Program of The National Agency of Drug and Food Control (BPOM) in Mataram, stated that the PMT menu prepared by the DASHAT cadres is of high quality and contains complete components. According to her, the DASHAT cadres have implemented food safety measures in preparing PMT, in compliance with government standards. She hopes that these cadres can act as the extended arm of BPOM to socialize food safety to families and communities around their areas.

“Food and meals that are properly standardized and guaranteed for quality and safety from harmful contaminants, including bacteria, viruses, and foodborne diseases, will improve public health in general and specifically reduce the prevalence of stunting in Indonesia because pregnant women and toddlers will receive nutritious and safe food,” she said during a food safety training session for DASHAT cadres on Wednesday (30/10) in Jeraweh District.

The “Safe Food” training was attended by 48 DASHAT cadres from the Jeraweh, Maluk, and Sekongkang districts in West Sumbawa, with the aim of improving the quality of food and the cadres’ knowledge on presenting balanced, nutritious meals. In addition to providing PMT, the DASHAT team also serves as a nutrition consultancy, menu advisor, and community educator.

Istiqomah, a DASHAT cadre from Maluk Village who attended the “safe food” training, committed to improving the quality of the PMT prepared with her team. “As DASHAT cadres, we will evaluate how food is processed and purchased to ensure it aligns with food safety practices. We will then share this knowledge with the community,” said Istiqomah.

Furthermore, Istiqomah and the other DASHAT cadres are now more aware of methods for selecting quality food ingredients. With information from BPOM, DASHAT cadres learned how to choose food products by checking packaging, labels, distribution permits, and expiration dates, known as the “Cek KLIK” method.

“I now understand how to assess a product using the ‘Cek KLIK’ method. I check whether the product is officially registered, has a distribution permit, and if it is still within its expiration date,” said Istiqomah.

The provision of supplementary food has been carried out by Istiqomah and the other DASHAT cadres twice, over a 90-day period, as part of the stunting acceleration program in KSB. Muhammad Ikraman, Project Manager at CARE Peduli Foundation in West Sumbawa, shared that the DASHAT team’s interventions have had a positive impact. “In 2022, the team distributed PMT to 198 children with stunting and 28 pregnant women with Chronic Energy Deficiency (KEK) over 90 days. As a result, 30% of children with stunting who received PMT in 2022 showed improvements, and 80% of pregnant women recovered from KEK. In the second PMT distribution in 2024, results for 178 children with stunting, 47 children with wasting, and 17 children with underweight were also positive. 30% of children with stunting, 48% of children with wasting, and 78% of children with underweight showed significant improvements in height and weight,” said Ikraman.

Ikraman further mentioned that the DASHAT team will continue to improve the quality of the food produced, ensuring that it will be trusted to prepare nutritious PMT with better food safety standards in the future. “The DASHAT team will continue to enhance the quality of the food produced by selecting quality ingredients, storing food properly, and following correct food processing methods, so that in the future, they will be trusted to prepare nutritious PMT with better food safety standards,” concluded Ikraman.

Author: Kukuh A. Tohari
Editor: Swiny Adestika

Campaign to Raise Voices Against Violence Towards Women

Remembering 20 Years After the Asian Tsunami: Ruin, Recovery and Resilience

20 years of Tsunami – Aceh, Indonesia

Shifting Mindsets as a Key Aspect in Producing Female Leaders

Depok Residents Trained in Household Organic Waste Management through Maggot Cultivation

Protection of Bintan Island’s Mangrove Ecosystem Through Women’s Empowerment

Traveloka and CARE Indonesia Collaborate to Strengthen Mangrove Ecosystem Protection in Bintan through Women’s Groups Empowerment

#SayaBerani: Story and Voices Against Violence Against Women

Partners Appreciate the Business Products of 13 Women’s Groups in MUBA

BPOM Mataram Appreciates the PMT Menu from the DASHAT Team in KSB

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