Rachmat Mulyono and Irna Suryat, a married couple running a small noodle stall in Tangerang, Indonesia, said they have felt the impact firsthand, with oil prices surging and everyday essentials becoming more expensive.

“The surge in oil and commodity prices has driven up the cost of ingredients, raising the expenses of running our stall. Meanwhile, higher prices for basic necessities have put additional strain on our household budget, making it harder to make ends meet,” Mulyono said.

As the Indonesian government considers work-from-home measures to conserve energy, street vendors are feeling the impact firsthand, with fewer regular customers and dwindling foot traffic cutting into their daily income.

This situation is not unique to Indonesia. Amid an energy crunch, many countries have taken steps to cope. Thailand has asked civil servants to conserve energy by pausing overseas travel and using stairs instead of elevators, while Bangladesh has closed universities.

Elsewhere, India has instructed its refineries to prioritize the supply of liquefied petroleum gas to households over commercial establishments. Pakistan, Egypt, and Vietnam have increased fuel prices and implemented energy-saving measures.

Since the conflict in Iran began on Feb 28, the Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global energy supplies located off the coast of Iran, has emerged as a major hot spot.

Iran has…