- Hunger in Indonesia -

Comparing today to what it was 200 years ago, the world has changed a great deal. Pioneering inventions and discoveries humans made throughout the years has improved society, making it easier to live a better life in some parts of the world. Unfortunately, this blessing isn’t present everywhere. Throughout the years, hunger soared across the world. As the rich become richer, the poor become poorer.

Indonesia is one of the many countries hit by this change. A study done by the International Food Research Institute (IFR) in 2019 reported 22 million reported cases of chronic hunger in Indonesia between 2016 and 2018. Although inventions like mechanical refrigeration from the 19th century help preserve food for Americans, many children in Indonesia still struggle to see food for days. Fluctuating food prices/inflation rates, the nation’s susceptibility to natural disasters, and the rising energy costs are a few of the multiple factors causing Indonesia’s hunger crisis. Luckily, other nations understand Indonesia’s major problem and have decided to take action. Organizations like Action Against Hunger and Generous Kitchen help the underprivileged ones by donating food, money, etc. Doing so has helped the rate of poverty to steadily decrease.

Yet, this is not enough, reports show that more than 40 percent of the population is barely living under $2 a day. This not only deprives Indonesians from basic food and water, but also prevents future generations from breaking the poverty bubble — this shortage of food hinders children from studying and getting good jobs to help their family. Moreover, the severe lack of nutrition causes developmental disorders that will inhibit their studies. Other consequences of chronic hunger such as being susceptible to diseases and behavioral/mental problems, anxiety, and asthma. Those in better situations than that of starving kids today should feel the responsibility to help better their situation. Whether that would be by donating money or food, spreading word about this problem to their friends, or doing any small task to help starving, underprivileged children. Let’s not let that stop us, instead, take action to help this country thrive and feed children food and the potential to dream big.

Donate to good causes like the Generous Kitchen and save a kid.

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Sources:

“Facts.” Hunger in Indonesia, liam6b.weebly.com/facts.html.

Garber, Megan. “The 20 Most Significant Inventions in the History of Food and Drink.” The Atlantic, Atlantic Media Company, 14 Sept. 2012, www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2012/09/the-20-most-significant-inventions-in-the-history-of-food-and-drink/262410/.

“Indonesia: Hunger Relief in Asia.” Action Against Hunger, 22 Mar. 2021, www.actionagainsthunger.org/countries/asia/indonesia.

“Indonesia's Papua Province Children Starving in a Land of Gold.” BBC News, BBC, 13 Feb. 2018, www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-42985439.

Owen, Jasmine. “World Hunger: Facts & How to Help.” World Vision Canada, Organization, 23 July 2020, www.worldvision.ca/stories/food/world-hunger-facts-how-to-help#2.

Philipp, Jennifer. “The State of Hunger in Indonesia.” The Borgen Project, Jennifer Philipp Https://Borgenproject.org/Wp-Content/Uploads/The_Borgen_Project_Logo_small.Jpg, 25 June 2020, borgenproject.org/hunger-in-indonesia/.

“The Road to a Healthier Life.” The Road to a Healthier Life RSS, blogs.ubc.ca/yhaes/2016/03/26/how-serious-is-chronic-hunger/.

Thelwell, Kim. “Top 10 Facts about Hunger in Indonesia.” The Borgen Project, Kim Thelwell Https://Borgenproject.org/Wp-Content/Uploads/The_Borgen_Project_Logo_small.Jpg, 5 Nov. 2019, borgenproject.org/top-10-facts-about-hunger-in-indonesia/.