KONEKSI study: Climate crisis squeezes vulnerable economies in eastern RI
Lower catches and harvests are driving debt, household economic abuse and tighter access to credit for many families.
KONEKSI research found that climate change is increasingly pressuring the economies of vulnerable groups, especially women, people with disabilities and the elderly, in eastern Indonesia. The findings were presented at a workshop in Makassar on Wednesday. Welmince Djulete, a researcher from Kupang, explained that the climate crisis has reduced the quantity and quality of fishers' catches and farmers' harvests, cutting household income. The study was carried out in Makassar, Maros, Gowa, Kupang and Lombok by an Indonesia-Australia government collaboration, Monash University Australia, Monash University Indonesia and Universitas Hasanuddin. The team also proposed more inclusive financing through KUR and support services, because many people with disabilities still struggle to access formal credit and turn to informal loans. Rosmiati Sain from LBH APIK Sulawesi Selatan said the economic pressure is also fueling debt traps and legal problems.