Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on food and nutrition security in Indonesia

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has negative impacts on the achievement of sustainable development goals (SDGs) goal number 2: Zero Hunger. The poor and temporary unemployed, due to pandemic, experienced the hardest hit. Objective of this study is to analyze the impacts of the pandemic on the achievement of the SDGs goal 2, especially the targets 2.1 and 2.2 (universal access to safe and nutritious food and end all forms of malnutrition). The scope of this study was at the country level, and data used were from Badan Pusat Statistik (BPS/Statistics Indonesia) and related ministries for the 2015‒2020 period. Data were analyzed using a qualitative and quantitative descriptive approach. This study indicated that the pandemic disrupted the improvement of food and nutrition security in Indonesia that has been achieved until 2019. Compared to the previous year, in 2020, the prevalence of undernourishment (8.34%) and food quality consumed measured by the desirable dietary pattern (86.3) worsened, and the prevalence of food insecurity experience scale (5.12%) decreased but at a slower rate. The low-income households and families headed by a women or disabilities were among the most vulnerable groups in maintaining food security. The government social assistance programs distributed timely have resulted in positive impacts in easing the burden. Since the pandemic has not ended yet, the social safety net programs should be extended and the government’s effort to maintain food supply and price stabilization should be continued.