Indonesia Has the Second Highest Hunger Rate in Southeast Asia, Check Out How Bank DBS Indonesia Promotes Food Security
Indonesia, 18 Apr 2024 -
Global Food Security Index (GFSI)
2022
data shows that Indonesia ranks 69th out of 113 countries in terms of food security. The index measures food security based on the following indicators: affordability of food prices, supply availability, nutritional quality and food safety, and natural resource resilience.
Furthermore, the
2023 Global Hunger Index (GHI)
classified Indonesia as the second hungriest country in Southeast Asia. With a score of 17.6 in the 2023 GHI, Indonesia has a level of hunger that is “moderate”. This is an improvement compared to the period 2000-2015 when the level of hunger in Indonesia was classified as “serious”, with a GHI score above 20. Although the hunger level in Indonesia has decreased in recent years, there is still a lot to be done. Collective efforts are needed to achieve food resilience.
Aware of the situation, Bank DBS Indonesia has over the past few years contributed to efforts to promote food resilience, including through the People of Purpose (PoP) programme, an employee volunteer movement that not only helps reduce food waste but also provides direct benefits to the community.
Let's take a look at some of the activities carried out by Bank DBS Indonesia to end hunger and build food resilience. Who knows, you may feel more motivated and inspired to apply the following methods to reduce food waste and protect the environment!
1. Donate food to those in need
Empirical data collected by the
Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK)
shows that food waste generally increases by 10-20 percent during Ramadan due to the consumption of large quantities of food during iftar and suhoor. To address the issue, Bank DBS Indonesia collaborated with FoodCycle Indonesia to organise the Ramadhan Food Donation campaign to reprocess and distribute leftover food that was still suitable for consumption to communities in need. The Ramadhan Food Donation campaign was joined by 775 employees of Bank DBS Indonesia and managed to collect 700 food packages that were distributed to 700 recipients in six foundations or orphanages in Central, East and South Jakarta during the month of Ramadan and after Eid al-Fitr 1445H. The Ramadhan Food Donation campaign also managed to create 750 kg of food impact (food that is saved and does not end up in landfills).
The Ramadhan Food Drive organised visits to local foundations in need of food, involving Surplus Foundation and FoodCycle Indonesia. The collaboration with Surplus Foundation in handling excess food stock from grocery stores was able to provide decent food for 400 donation recipients in Kampung Pemulung, Cilincing, and Panti Al-Andalas, South Jakarta, and created 385.5 kg of food impact.
2. Sort packaged food items that are still fit for consumption
Who among you when buying packaged food feels anxious when noticing the food is close to its expiration date and ends up not buying it? Well, actually you need to change your mindset because often, in reality, the food is still suitable for consumption! You just need to plan your meals well so that all the food items are consumed by the expiration date.
Bank DBS Indonesia also took proactive steps to tackle the problem by initiating the Bread Sorting programme to sort packaged bread by “use by” and expiration dates. The activity managed to prevent 1,221 kg of bread from going to waste. The bread was then distributed to four foundations in collaboration with FoodCycle Indonesia.
3. Handling used cooking oil to protect the environment
In 2020, more than 525,000 liters of used cooking oil were wasted every month in Jakarta, according to Beli Jelantah. This is a huge and terrifying number, considering the serious effects of used cooking oil disposal on the environment. Used cooking oil that is improperly disposed of will be absorbed by the soil, causing clayey compaction and reducing soil fertility. This also affects the quality of the groundwater.
Bank DBS Indonesia also invites its employees to donate used cooking oil to Beli Jelantah and Duitin. The used cooking oil will be sent to certified biodiesel companies to be further processed into environmentally friendly fuel. Interestingly, recycling used cooking oil not only helps reduce waste and pollution but also opens up new business opportunities for communities, especially in rural areas! Since the beginning of their partnership in 2023, Bank DBS Indonesia, together with Beli Jelantah and Duitin, has been able to process 457 kg of used cooking oil to be recycled into biodiesel.
4. Planting seeds and managing food waste
A number of previous programmes have focused on efforts to reprocess food waste. In fact, building food resilience also starts by tackling the root causes to ensure food availability and supply and guarantee nutritional quality and food safety.
One way to do it is by planting seeds. Bank DBS Indonesia through the PoP programme held the Gardening Seed Starting activity in collaboration with Kebun Kumara. Under the programme, employees plant caisim and mint seeds as well as learn to convert food waste to compost as a fertiliser for plants. By reducing the need for chemical fertilisers that can potentially damage soil and groundwater, the programme contributes positively to the environment.
Head of Group Strategic Marketing & Communications at PT Bank DBS Indonesia
Mona Monika
said, “Bank DBS Indonesia believes that collaboration, synergy, and real action are key to achieving food resilience in Indonesia. Therefore, we invite employees to take part through the People of Purpose (PoP) activities and work with various partners such as FoodCycle Indonesia, Beli Jelantah, Duitin, and Kebun Kumara. Going forward, we want to be able to inspire more people to embrace a more sustainable lifestyle and contribute to building food resilience.”
In addition to the various activities mentioned above, Bank DBS Indonesia launched the Food Rescue Warrior campaign last March. The campaign focused on collaboration with hotel, restaurant, and cafe (horeca) industry players to address the issue of food surplus as one of the largest contributors to waste in Indonesia. Bank DBS Indonesia collaborated with Jangjo, FoodCycle Indonesia, and 75 leading tenants such as SCBD Park, Harris Hotel fX Sudirman, and Kopi Kenangan to make the campaign a success. Food Rescue Warrior is expected to benefit 130,000 recipients, serve 3,128,571 meals to people in need, and reduce 1,916,250 kg of food waste.
All of these efforts are tangible evidence of Bank DBS Indonesia's commitment to creating a positive impact on society and the environment, in line with its third sustainability pillar, Impact Beyond Banking. These are done to realise Bank DBS Indonesia's vision to become the “Best Bank for a Better World”.
To learn more about Food Rescue Warrior and Bank DBS Indonesia's commitment to food security, visit
this page
.
About DBS
DBS is a leading financial services group in Asia with a presence in 19 markets. Headquartered and listed in Singapore, DBS is in the three key Asian axes of growth: Greater China, Southeast Asia and South Asia. The bank’s “AA-” and “Aa1” credit ratings are among the highest in the world.
Recognised for its global leadership, DBS has been named
“World’s Best Bank”
by Global Finance,
“World’s Best Bank”
by Euromoney and
“Global Bank of the Year”
by The Banker. The bank is at the forefront of leveraging digital technology to shape the future of banking, having been named
“World’s Best Digital Bank
” by Euromoney and the world’s “
Most Innovative in Digital Banking”
by The Banker. In addition, DBS has been accorded the
“Safest Bank in Asia
“ award by Global Finance for 15 consecutive years from 2009 to 2023. DBS Indonesia is ranked second in the top as
World’s Best Bank in Indonesia
for three consecutive years from 2020 to 2022.
Established in 1989 as part of the Singapore-based DBS Group, PT Bank DBS Indonesia (Bank DBS Indonesia) is one of the banks with the longest history in Asia. Currently operating 1 Head Office, 13 Branch Offices, 16 Assistant Offices and 4 Functional Offices and 3,011 active employees in 15 Major Cities in Indonesia, Bank DBS Indonesia provides comprehensive banking services in the corporate, SME and consumer banking segments that focuses on the customer experience to 'Live more, Bank less'. We also see a purpose beyond banking and are committed to supporting our customers, employees and the community towards a sustainable future.
PT Bank DBS Indonesia
is licensed and supervised by The Indonesian Financial Services Authority (OJK), and an insured member of Indonesia Deposit Insurance Corporation (LPS).
DBS is committed to building lasting relationships with customers, as it banks the Asian way. Through the DBS Foundation, the bank creates impact beyond banking by supporting businesses for impact: enterprises with a double bottom-line of profit and social and/or environmental impact. DBS Foundation also gives back to society in various ways, including equipping underserved communities with future-ready skills and helping them to build food resilience.
With its extensive network of operations in Asia and emphasis on engaging and empowering its staff, DBS presents exciting career opportunities. For more information, please visit
www.dbs.com
.
DBS Bank Ltd | 12 Marina Boulevard, DBS Asia Central @ Marina Bay Financial Centre Tower 3,
Singapore 018982 | Co. Reg. No. 196800306E
Tel: 65.6878 8888 | www.dbs.com
