Special attention needs to be given to under-five children who have specific needs due to their lower ability to prepare for disasters. Simple, ready-to-eat, and tasty food that meets the micronutrient needs of the groups is needed. The study aimed to assess the effect of the food bar made from api-api mangrove (Avicennia marina) and sword bean (Canavalia ensiformis) blends on the weight and Weight-for-Age Z (WAZ) score after landslide disaster. A non randomized pre-post intervention study was performed on 34 under-five children affected by landslide disaster during 15 days. Subjects were divided into intervention (api-api mangrove-sword bean food bars) and control groups (sword bean food bars). Both groups received the food bars for 15 days. Education on balanced nutrition for under-five children was provided to all subjects’ mothers in the study. The study revealed that most mothers of under-five children liked mangrove-sword bean food bar from the aroma, taste, texture, and color in the hedonic test. The intervention group experienced weight gain (0.32 kg) and WAZ score (0.73) were greater compared with the control group. There were significant difference in weight and WAZ score changes of the under-five children accompanied by a significant increases in mothers’ knowledge on the balanced nutrition for under-five children and food bar total consumption. No significant differences of macronutrient consumption, except fat intake between pre-post study were found. Api-api mangrove-sword bean food bar can be an emergency food alternative for disaster vulnerable group communities affected by natural disasters. Future studies may wish to consider examining the issue using pregnant women as the research subjects.

The authors have declared no competing interest.

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05878886

FF received PUTI Q1 1st Batch Grant of University of Indonesia. NKB-524/UN2.RST/HKP.05.00/2022 The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.

I confirm all relevant ethical guidelines have been followed, and any necessary IRB and/or ethics committee approvals have been obtained.

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The details of the IRB/oversight body that provided approval or exemption for the research described are given below:

Ethical clearance was obtained from the Ethics Commission for Health Research and Development (KEPPK) of the Sint Carolus, College of Health Sciences, Jakarta (No.089/KEPPKSTIKSC/VII/2022). All selected mothers of under-five children subjects signed a written informed consent form before fully participating in this study in the early August 2022. The signing was performed during the introductory activities of this study and witnessed by the integrated health post of under-five children (posyandu) cadres and research team. Sword Bean Mangrove Food Bars as an Emergency Food for Landslides Victims Community at Sumedang District. Declared to be ethical appropriate in accordance to 7 (seven) WHO 2011 Standards, 1) Social Values, 2) Scientific Values, 3) Equitable Assessments and Benefits, 4) Potential Risks and Benefits, 5) Persuasion/Exploitation, 6) Confidentiality and Privacy, and 7) Informed Consent, referring to 2016 CIOMS Guidelines. This is as indicated by the fulfillment of the indicators of each standard. This declaration of ethics applies during the period July 1st, 2022 until July 1st, 2023.

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