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The Indonesian Employers Association (APINDO) and Sucor Asset Management (SAM) have formed a partnership to address stunting and improve the nutritional needs of children in Indonesia.

In the partnership announced in Jakarta on Monday, the Maju Bersama Pengusaha Indonesia Foundation, under the auspices of APINDO, serves as a strategic implementation partner to channel funds for stunting management, which have been raised by Sucorinvest Anak Pintar (SAP), a philanthropic investment product from SAM.

As of August 2024, SAP has raised philanthropic funds totaling IDR 8.28 billion from 2,769 single investor identifications (SIDs) or SAP unit holders.

Through the SAP product, one percent of the funds invested by investors is channeled to selected foundations with a vision to improve the education, health, and welfare of Indonesian children.

"The funds raised through this product will not only provide financial returns but will also directly contribute to the education and health of children in Indonesia," said Apindo Chairman Shinta W. Kamdani during the partnership launch.

Shinta noted that stunting is a crucial issue that urgently needs to be addressed, considering its significant impact on the quality of Indonesia’s human resources.

Citing data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), Shinta stated that 18.10 percent of children do not have access to adequate education, while more than 42 percent of children suffer from malnutrition and other health problems.

Dwi Setyo, Project Manager of the Healthy Children Movement (GAS) KIPAS Stunting Apindo, explained that the stunting prevention program under this partnership will be implemented in four provinces: West Java, Central Java, East Java, and Banten.

From these four provinces, 11 regencies/cities will be selected as program locations. Furthermore, three villages in each selected regency/city will be designated as intervention targets. In each village, the program will focus on six integrated health service posts (posyandu).

"In total, 10,200 people, including pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers with babies aged 0-6 months, and toddlers aged 6-23 months, will benefit from the program," said Dwi.

In this program, children and mothers will receive nutritious meals from Monday to Friday. Additionally, on Saturdays, they will receive nutritious meals and participate in educational sessions on the importance of providing balanced nutrition for children.

According to Dwi, the strategy has yielded significant results in improving the nutritional status of pregnant women. A trial run of Apindo's stunting prevention program in three regions in August 2023 showed a dramatic reduction in the number of pregnant women suffering from chronic energy deficiency (CED), from 19.6 percent to 9 percent in just four months.  Additionally, there was a significant decrease in the percentage of mothers with toddlers suffering from CED. Before the program was implemented, this figure stood at 33.4 percent, but after four months, it dropped to 13.49 percent.

At the same event, Sucor Group Founder Lindrawati Widjojo stated that the partnership would not only ease the burden on families in need but also create a healthier, stronger generation that is better prepared to face future challenges.

"Sucor AM will continue to strive to make a positive impact on the education, health, and well-being of children in Indonesia," she said.

source : https://www.antaranews.com/berita/4351755/apindo-dan-sucor-am-jalin-kemitraan-penanganan-stunting