Indonesia

Second Surge of COVID-19 in Indonesia Finally Starting to Ease

In July, Indonesia surpassed India and Brazil to become the country reporting the world’s highest number of daily cases. Hospitals were deluged, particularly on the densely populated island of Java and on Bali, where oxygen supplies are scarce. The country had more than 3 million coronavirus infections and 83,000 deaths.

In a recent report from the World Health Organization, Indonesia’s COVID-19 rates are finally seeming to slow. Reuters reports, “Indonesia’s daily coronavirus positivity rate dropped below the World Health Organization’s (WHO) benchmark standard of 5% this week for the first time, an indicator the country’s devastating second wave could be easing.”

Focus on Indonesia

Indonesians are a population of survivors: From disastrous earthquake and tsunamis to tragic levels of poverty and suffering, the people of Indonesia have had to struggle against enormous odds. Nearly every single Indonesian knows someone who has been killed by natural disaster or can recount their own harrowing experience surviving one. As recently as early 2021, Indonesians, yet again, had to face an earthquake.

And as coronavirus gripped the world in 2020, millions across Indonesia have been left impoverished because of conditions related to the pandemic, according to data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS). The country’s poverty rate is now above 10%.

With all this considered, one thing remains clear: The people of Indonesia are resilient and, with the support of donors like you, families in need there can access opportunities to break the chains of poverty and move toward success.

Islamic Relief’s Dedication to Indonesia

Islamic Relief efforts in Indonesia began in 2000; the Jakarta office opened in 2003 to implement long-term relief and development. Islamic Relief affiliates continue to work on rehabilitation projects in response to natural disasters that have hit the area, in addition to orphan support and food aid distribution.

Here’s just a sampling of recent efforts for families in need across Indonesia:

• Constructing quality temporary and permanent classrooms to give children access to education
• Providing urgent food aid to displaced families
• Improving agriculture production for families living in drylands and barren forests to reduce poverty traps
• Restoring livelihoods for survivors of natural disasters