276 SPPGs Turned Into Public Kitchens To Serve Victims Affected By Floods

Free nutritious food (photo: Antara)

A total of 276 Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPG) or kitchens for the organizers of the Free Nutrition Food (MBG) program were transformed to serve flood-affected refugees in Aceh, North Sumatra (North Sumatra) and West Sumatra (West Sumatra) areas.

Coordinating Minister for Food Zulkifli Hasan said the role of the MBG kitchen was very vital in the midst of the current emergency conditions in the Sumatra region.

We also thank the SPPG very much wherever we are. Earlier, including those in Aceh, North Sumatra and West Sumatra, including those in the National Police. These hundreds of SPPGs have changed their functions into kitchens for public services," he said at a press conference, at the Coordinating Ministry for Food, Jakarta, Wednesday, December 3.

Zulhas, as he is familiarly called, said that the number of SPPGs that actively serve refugees reached 276 units spread across Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra.

"In Aceh there were 81, the addition was 63, now it's 81, serving hundreds of thousands. Then in North Sumatra there are 129 (SPPG), serving also hundreds of thousands of beneficiaries, also in West Sumatra 66 SPPG. So the role of this SPPG is extraordinary," he said.

Meanwhile, Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) Dadan Hindayana said there was no additional budget to divert the function of 276 SPPGs to public kitchens.

"We always put money in sales. In a disaster situation, school children are off. Meanwhile, the children who are victims are also in refugee camps. So we have to serve it. But when a disaster occurs, not only children we help, but all people who experience disasters. So we have to serve it, "said Dadan.

Regarding the portion of food, Dadan said that he still uses the standard scheme, which is one portion per day. He also said he would look at the dynamics in the field to determine whether food portions need to be added or not.

"Yes (one meal). (No or not) the city will see according to their needs," he said.