As part of its White Ribbon Activities for safe motherhood, a JOICFP team, headed by Hideyuki Takahashi, Director, Resource Development and Campaign, visited the island of Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia from 5th to 8th August.

On recognizing the nationwide interest in the severe state of child malnutrition and low maternal health in rural areas of East Lombok, new possible project sites where no assistance is provided by international agencies are being considered.

East Lombok has had poor harvests since 1999, and is now experiencing a year-long drought. In some villages, 24% of children under five years old are reported to be severely malnourished, and over 70% of women are anemic. Drinking water has to be purchased and is not regularly available, and there is no water for sanitation, leading to a high prevalence of respiratory diseases and parasitic infection.

Mother and child in East Lombok - only one meal a day

Children fill up on cheap snacks

Furthermore, due to the lack of trained health personnel and transport infrastructure, services and education cannot reach people in rural areas.

JOICFP is planning a new safe motherhood project in collaboration with the Indonesian Planned Parenthood Association (IPPA) that will include emergency food supplies as well as strengthening community organizations that provide health and nutrition services, education, and income generation activities especially for women and children.

IPPA representatives explain the situation in East Lombok