YAICI and Mitra Distribute 454 Nutrition Assistance Packages for Flood Victims in Aceh

JAKARTA - The Abhipraya Insan Cendekia Indonesia Foundation (YAICI) together with partners distributed hundreds of aid packages for the nutritional needs of mothers and children in flood-affected areas in Aceh Tamiang Regency. This program targets two villages that are considered to still receive minimal humanitarian assistance, namely Serba Village and Pematang Durian Village.

The activity is not only in the form of distribution of assistance, but also nutritional education packaged interactively through gimmicks and storytelling for mothers and children. The assistance distributed includes the needs of mothers and toddlers, nutritious milk and food, and school supplies for children.

In its implementation, YAICI collaborated with the Muhammadiyah PC of South Aceh and Bossmama, a parenting media platform managed by influencer Sabrina Anggraini.

The Chairman of the Muhammadiyah PC Sama Dua Aceh Selatan, Denni Taufiqurrahman, explained that the selection of Serba Village and Pematang Durian Village was based on the initial mapping of the affected area and the identification of the most urgent needs.

"Since the beginning of working with YAICI, we have mapped the target areas and the needs of the community, especially for mothers and children who are vulnerable groups but often neglected," said Denni.

Overall, YAICI together with partners distributed 184 baby packages, 150 children's packages, and 120 adult packages to affected people. The assistance package is adjusted to the needs of each age group so that the intervention is more targeted and not uniform.

Denni assessed that the needs-based approach was effective and appropriate. He also appealed to volunteers who would go to the disaster site to ensure that the assistance provided was in accordance with the needs of the local community.

"Volunteers are expected to provide assistance that is really needed by the surrounding community," he said.

Meanwhile, the Secretary General of YAICI, Satria Yudistira, emphasized that the intervention carried out was not only charitable, but also educational. His party provides an understanding regarding the fulfillment of good nutrition for children, including regarding the consumption of ready-to-eat foods such as instant noodles and sweet condensed products.

According to him, condensed sweetened products have high sugar content and low nutritional value, so they have the potential to have long-term health effects if consumed excessively. He also reminded that condensed milk is not milk and cannot be equated as a main source of nutrition for children.

"We simply convey to children and parents that condensed milk is not milk and should not be consumed frequently because it can have an impact on health if excessive," said Satria.

Through cross-organizational collaboration and a needs-based approach, YAICI hopes that this intervention will not only help post-disaster recovery, but also increase public awareness of the importance of proper nutrition for children.