Aid shortages and fears of starvation as Indonesia reels from deadly earthquake

The earthquake that struck Indonesia on Saturday has left at least 53 people dead and thousands displaced, while damage to roads and communication lines is hindering rescue efforts. Aid organizations report shortages of food, water, and medical supplies, raising fears of starvation among the most vulnerable survivors. The immediate focus remains on humanitarian relief, but the scale of displacement suggests a prolonged recovery period.

For markets, natural disasters in major producing regions often lead to reassessments of supply-chain risk. Indonesia is a significant exporter of commodities such as palm oil,