Nutrition Education Strengthening Post-disaster is Considered Crucial for Human Resources Recovery

JAKARTA - Strengthening the aspect of nutrition in post-disaster handling is considered a key factor in maintaining the quality of human resources (HR) in affected areas.

The PP Aisyiyah Health Assembly together with a number of partners held education for cadres and volunteers to increase the capacity for handling nutrition in disaster-affected areas, such as Aceh Tamiang, Langkat, and Agam.

This collaboration involves the Abhipraya Insan Cendekia Indonesia Foundation (YAICI), Muhammadiyah Disaster Management Center (MDMC), and Rangkul Foundation.

MDMC Chairman Budi Setiawan emphasized the importance of a needs-based approach in the distribution of food assistance. According to him, mistakes in the provision of intake can cause long-term health burdens.

In line with this, the academic of the University of Muhammadiyah Jakarta, Tria Astika Endah Permatasari, highlighted the risk of high sugar consumption on the formation of children's eating patterns, especially in emergency situations.

The Chairman of the PP Aisyiyah Health Council, Warsiti, stated that nutritional intervention needs to be an integral part of disaster management policies.

"Nutrition is the foundation for survivors' recovery, but it is still often overlooked," he said.

In addition to nutritional education, this program also includes psychosocial assistance for children affected by disasters.

From a macro perspective, the high risk of disasters in Indonesia - which is located in the Ring of Fire region - requires the strengthening of mitigation systems that do not only focus on infrastructure, but also on public health resilience.

Thus, the integration of nutrition programs in disaster management is considered important to reduce the potential for long-term social and economic losses.