Indonesia launches home renovation program to combat stunting

The Indonesian Ministry of Housing and Settlement Areas is collaborating with the National Population and Family Planning Board (BKKBN) to address stunting risks through a home renovation program. Minister of Housing Maruarar Sirait announced an allocation of 3,000 home renovation units specifically for families at risk of stunting, exceeding the initial BKKBN proposal of 2,000 units.

BKKBN Head Wihaji noted that inadequate housing is a significant factor in stunting, stating that 8.1 million families fall into the stunting category, often due to living in substandard conditions. The collaboration aims to identify suitable locations across nine provinces and establish strict criteria for recipients to ensure aid reaches the most vulnerable families.

Separately, data from the Ministry of Housing and the Central Bureau of Statistics indicates that the number of households without homes is projected to decrease from 12.75 million in 2020 to 9.29 million by 2026. Experts emphasize that equitable housing distribution is essential to reduce pressure on major metropolitan areas and ensure families have access to safe environments near economic and educational hubs.