Running Together to Support a Healthy Generation and Reduce Stunting Rates in East Nusa Tenggara

Based on research by the Indonesian Ministry of Health, stunting caused by the absence of clean water and poor sanitation reaches 60%, while the remaining 40% is caused by poor nutrition. It is no wonder that access to clean water is included as one of the goals of the 2020-2024 National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN), as well as a target of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) until 2030. South Central Timor District (TTS), which hosted this year’s event, is one of the districts with the highest number of stunting cases. Based on the 2021 Indonesian Nutrition Status Study, the percentage of stunting cases in TTS reached 48.3% and was the highest in NTT. This means that among 100 children under five in TTS, there are 48 children under five who are stunted. This percentage is far above the WHO tolerance level for stunting cases, which is below 20 percent.

It is hoped that through the Jelajah Timur Run for Equality charity running campaign, people can participate and contribute to stunting prevention in NTT by supporting the provision of clean water facilities in villages assisted by Plan Indonesia. “This charity run event is the fifth time organized by Plan Indonesia which began in 2019. The results of fundraising in the past four years carried out by the explorers, as the Jelajah Timur runners are called, have helped build clean water facilities in 12 villages in NTT, with more than 13,000 beneficiaries,” he said.

Jelajah Timur Run for Equality ultra marathon runners usually come from a variety of professions, ranging from ministry staff, company CEOs, entrepreneurs, teachers, health workers, social activists, and various other professions. The Jelajah Timur Pancawarsa celebration was marked by the appointment of five explorers, namely Arri Prima Yason Putra, Erry Permana, Nicky Hogan, Pengku Adrianne, and Renato Joesaki, as Jelajah Timur Ambassadors 2023. These five runners are part of the Jelajah Timur community of runners who have contributed greatly to the construction of clean water facilities every year. Not only that, some well-known figures from the arts will also support a series of activities related to the provision of clean water facilities, such as Tatjana Saphira, and Teddy Adhitya, who will also visit the villages assisted by Plan Indonesia in NTT while mobilizing public support.

About Yayasan Plan International Indonesia (Plan Indonesia)

Plan International has been working in Indonesia since 1969 and officially became Yayasan Plan International Indonesia (Plan Indonesia) in 2017. We work for the fulfillment of children’s rights and equality for girls. We also work with young people, to ensure meaningful participation in decision-making about their lives. As part of Plan International Inc, Plan Indonesia has a key program related to child sponsorship. Plan Indonesia has supported 36,000 girls and boys in East Nusa Tenggara, with five commitments to fulfill their basic rights: birth certificates, basic vaccines, clean water, sanitation and hygiene, and education. Plan Indonesia works in eight provinces through seven thematic programs, namely Child Survival Prevention, Elimination of Violence against Children and Young People, Adolescent Health, Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship, Resilient Schools, Disaster Preparedness and Gender Responsive Humanitarian Response, and Youth-led Climate Resilience. These programs aim to increase the capacity of leadership, agency, and social movements that engage and target three million girls for equal power, equal freedom, and equal representation. More information: plan-international.or.id

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Muhammad Mirza Harera External Communication Coordinator HP: 081908881534; Email: [email protected]

Intan Mawarwati Sukarna Marketing Communications Manager HP: 081809442611; Email: [email protected]