Hunger in Indonesia: Causes and Effects

Indonesia, the world’s largest island country and located in Southeast Asia, has a population of about 270.6 million. 27.55 million of these people, or approximately 10.2%, were living below the poverty line as of last September. Since then, this number has continued to soar and has recently hit an all-time high, according to the World Bank. Poverty not only causes food insecurity, which is described as “a lack of consistent access to enough food for every person in a household to live an active, healthy life”, but also low productivity -- the future Indonesian generation is predicted to be only 54% as productive as the current one -- and health problems, both physical and mental.

“Poverty not only causes food insecurity, but also low productivity and health problems.”

Because of the global pandemic, unstable food prices, hydro-meteorological disasters such as floods and cyclones, and other economic reasons, food insecurity levels are high in Indonesia and it can have many effects. World Vision Canada says food insecurity can cause people to stop trying to work to improve their situation. Poverty in Indonesia is also caused by unemployment rates, which are hovering at around 4.11% as of 2020, according to The World Bank. According to one of their reports dating from June of 2021, they also say that the Indonesian economic growth in 2021 should be at around 4.4%, which is lower than the 6% needed to significantly slow poverty rates. This number, however, is infinitely better than the -2.1% economic growth statistic given by the Asian Development Bank in 2020. According to Kecuk Suhariyanto, the Head of BPS Statistics, it might be hard to boost economic growth seeing as the price of common food like rice, instant noodles, cigarettes, and poultry is selling for extremely high prices.

“The price of common food is selling for extremely high prices.”

If left alone with no food, Indonesians could find themselves facing immense health problems, now and in the future. The Backpack Buddies Foundation says that adults and children alike are more susceptible to chronic diseases like diabetes. In addition to malnutrition, hunger often goes hand in hand with a weaker immune system (which is a great target for diseases and harmful illnesses), impaired muscles, bones, organs, and fatigue.

While these symptoms are already damaging enough, there are other health aspects to factor in. For example, children faced with starvation could have decreased cognitive abilities, making it harder for them to succeed when their low focus or slow thought process gets in the way. For a small child, they could face stunted growth. Babies born from malnutritioned parents might be born prematurely or may die during or after labor. To parents, this can cause severe grief which may, in turn, worsen their health and take a toll on their mental well-being. Additionally, constant fatigue can lead to depression, anxiety, or behavioral issues, according to the American Psychological Association (APA) and a study conducted in Massachusetts. The APA also says that food insecurity is stigmatized in the media, which makes children and adults want to hide their problem and feel ashamed, especially when receiving free lunch or help from food programs.

“Children faced with starvation could have decreased cognitive abilities, making it harder for them to succeed when their low focus or slow thought process gets in the way.”

The obvious question to ask is: what can we do? Unfortunately, there is no immediate solution. What matters most is everyone’s contribution.There is no magic secret or overnight change. An issue this big will require patience, time, and resources. Luckily, this is Generous Kitchen’s goal. By providing meals to Indonesians who are unable to afford food, we are taking baby steps towards a brighter future and our end goal: creating a hunger-free world.

For more information, check out their website (https://freepantryindo.wixsite.com/generouskitchen) to find out how you can help those in need.

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Resources:

• https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/indonesia/overview

• https://www.feedingamerica.org/hunger-in-america/food-insecurity

• https://docs.wfp.org/api/documents/WFP-0000119830/download/

• https://www.worldvision.ca/stories/food/world-hunger-facts-how-to-help

• https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS?locations=ID

• https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/indonesia/publication/indonesia-economic-prospects-iep-june-2021-boosting-the-recovery

• https://www.adb.org/news/indonesia-economy-return-growth-2021-adb

• https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2020/07/15/poverty-rate-rises-in-march-as-pandemic-hits-vulnerable-communities.html

• https://www.bbfloudoun.org/news/2019/5/2/effects-of-starvation-on-adults-and-children