Four Months of Post-disaster Assistance Dominated by Instant Food, Children's Nutrition Threatened

Photo: Special

JAKARTA - Four months after the Sumatra flash flood disaster, children's or toddler nutrition fulfillment has not been a major concern.

This was seen when the Abhipraya Insan Cendekia Indonesia Foundation (YAICI) distributed assistance to Serba Village and Pematang Durian Village in Aceh Tamiang in early February, where most of the assistance was practical products such as instant noodles and condensed milk that were not suitable for toddlers.

YAICI Secretary General Satria Yudhistira explained that almost four months after flash floods hit a number of areas in Sumatra, there has not been much assistance specifically for children.

In fact, he continued, the needs of toddlers are very different from adults.

"The assistance that is currently available is mostly aimed at adults, not children," said Satria.

Satria said the findings were an important record for post-disaster recovery efforts.

Therefore, he encouraged stakeholders or volunteers who want to provide assistance to also pay attention to children's nutritional needs.

The recovery phase should begin to address more specific needs, including ensuring children get the food they need.

"Hopefully in the future, assistance from anyone, whether from the government or the community, will start to pay attention to children," said Satria.

In addition to distributing assistance, YAICI also held trauma healing activities for children. This activity is carried out through various games that aim to help children reduce fear and anxiety after experiencing disasters.

"We also make activities for trauma healing for children, because this is important. Their psychological needs also need to be considered," said Satria.

Meanwhile, the Health Advisor of Sekerak, Aceh Tamiang, Ersyad explained that the pattern of assistance dominated by instant food received can cause health problems if consumed for a long time, especially for children and toddlers who need more complete nutrition to support growth and development.

He emphasized that sugar-rich foods in the long term have the potential to disrupt growth and even cause stunting.

The reason is that the consumption of sweet condensed milk can make children reluctant to eat because the child already feels full due to consuming sweet condensed milk.

"In the short term it can lead to stunting. Because the consumption of condensed milk can produce a false satiety effect. Children will prioritize condensed milk, rather than eating," said Ersyad.

Furthermore, Ersyad said that in addition to food assistance, medical equipment is also very needed by people affected by the Sumatra flood disaster.

Ersyad said various diseases began to emerge such as diarrhea and ISPA due to dust from the flood mud that had dried up.

"We need medicine and medical equipment. Because our medical equipment is all broken. In the end we don't give the best service," said Ersyad.