Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian government will provide free nutritious meals twice daily to 36,000 people with disabilities starting in 2026, Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf said on Monday.
“We aim to reach around 36,000 beneficiaries early next year with breakfast and lunch,” Yusuf said after the 2025 International Day of Persons with Disabilities ceremony.
He said the meals will be prepared by community groups and delivered directly to recipients’ homes to ensure accessibility and equal public services.
“Meals will be delivered to each home by community members. Village cadres will be deployed as couriers,” he said.
These cadres will also function as caregivers, offering emotional and social support to both people with disabilities and older residents.
For the elderly, the ministry plans to expand the program to 100,000 beneficiaries as part of the next phase of coverage.
“In total, 100,000 elderly people and 36,000 people with disabilities will receive meals,” the minister said.
The program is guided by Presidential Instruction No. 4/2025 on the National Socioeconomic Single Data, which includes detailed records on people with disabilities and their specific needs.
“According to the President, if our data is accurate and aligned with targets, the program will be well-directed and impactful,” Yusuf said.
President Prabowo Subianto said on December 5 that the meal program is currently serving 49 million Indonesians daily, less than a year after it was launched.
He noted that the figure is nearly seven times Singapore’s population and reflects the program’s nationwide reach, including to remote regions.
The program, launched on January 6, aims to improve nutrition, strengthen food security, and boost local economies by sourcing ingredients from communities.
The government targets 82.9 million beneficiaries by March 2026 as it accelerates expansion to vulnerable groups, including the elderly and people with disabilities.
Yusuf said the additional support will ensure that nutritional needs are met and essential services reach those who are most dependent on government care.
