Our Expertise

COVID-19 pandemic has put healthcare systems of various countries, including Indonesia, to the test. Many problems that were previously unnoticed are now gaining attention. One of them is Indonesia’s lack of readiness to detect the SARS-CoV-2 virus—commonly known as COVID-19—in order to prevent its spread and speed up treatment for the infected individuals.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, Bu Neni[i], who sells food and has a food stall opened in front of her house, now spends most of her time taking care of her grandchildren at home. Especially after her grandchildren's school activities were temporarily dismissed due to the pandemic, both Bu Neni dan her grandchildren have never stepped outside of their house

The government is providing direct cash transfer (BLT) to the community groups most affected by the pandemic: the poor, informal workers, and online transportation business actors. What are the mechanisms for data collection and assistance distribution? SMERU’s recommendations are as follows.

SMERU’s responses to free electricity and discounts (Regulation in Lieu of Law, or Perppu, No.1/2020): The policy has not reached the people who need the assistance and has the potential for wasteful consumption of electricity.

SMERU’s responses to the implementation of Pre-employment Card program (Perppu No. 1/2020): The program should be directed at strengthening the efforts to mitigate the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, such as training programs for health workers, volunteers, and micro- and small-scale enterprises (MSEs).