Enviro News Asia, Jakarta — Indonesia’s central government has allocated Rp1.235 trillion to accelerate forest and land fire response efforts in seven affected provinces, with funding directed towards public protection, firefighting operations and logistical support for personnel deployed on the ground.
Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Sugiono announced the allocation at a press conference in Jakarta on October 22, 2026. The assistance covers South Sumatra, Jambi, Central Kalimantan, West Kalimantan, South Kalimantan, East Kalimantan and Riau.
Sugiono said the funding was intended to speed up emergency response measures, provide assistance to affected communities and strengthen the government’s efforts to tackle recurring forest and land fires.
The funds are being distributed in two phases. The first transfer took place on September 7, 2026, while the second was transferred on October 22, according to the government.
Three priorities guide the use of the assistance: protecting affected residents, supporting firefighting and fire-control operations, and providing logistical assistance to personnel working in the field.
For public protection, the funding can support healthcare services, mask distribution, portable oxygen supplies, oxygen facilities and treatment for residents suffering from acute respiratory infections linked to smoke exposure.
Fire-control support may include personal protective equipment, water pumps, water tanks, firefighting hoses, water-injection equipment for peatlands and the construction of bore wells.
Around 71,000 personnel have been deployed to respond to forest and land fires, Sugiono said. Operations combine ground-based firefighting with aerial measures, including water bombing and weather modification using dry ice and sodium chloride (NaCl), or salt, to encourage rainfall in affected areas.
The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) and the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) are continuing efforts to strengthen and accelerate the response. The Health Ministry is coordinating the distribution of medical equipment and other health-support facilities to communities in severely affected areas.
The Forestry Ministry is also maintaining firefighting operations through Manggala Agni, its forest and land fire control force, working alongside the Indonesian Military, the National Police, volunteers and other ministry personnel.
Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni said the assistance had been transferred to regional governments. He urged governors and district heads to use the funds effectively and in accordance with their designated purposes and the relevant circular issued by the Home Affairs Minister.
The assistance is managed directly by regional governments and is separate from central government funding for operations such as weather modification and water bombing. Those activities are conducted through BNPB, BMKG, the Forestry Ministry and other government agencies.
The allocation is intended to strengthen emergency response capacity while helping affected communities cope with the health and other consequences of forest and land fires. (*)
