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East Kalimantan firefighters use personal funds to combat forest fires amid budget cuts
🇮🇩 Indonesia /Economy & Trade

East Kalimantan firefighters use personal funds to combat forest fires amid budget cuts

From CNN Indonesia · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Firefighters in East Kalimantan, Indonesia, are using personal funds to combat forest and land fires due to budget cuts.
  • Officials confirmed the situation, stating staff are reimbursed later while awaiting new funding expected by September 2026.
  • The Forestry Agency head emphasized the need for immediate action despite financial constraints.

Firefighters battling devastating forest and land fires in Indonesia's East Kalimantan province are facing an unprecedented challenge: funding their own operations out of pocket. Budgetary cuts have left essential resources depleted, forcing dedicated personnel to dip into personal savings to procure basic necessities like food and water for deployment.

I keep 'shouting' to the Regional Secretary and the Governor. If we move in the field, it's impossible, sir. They need to eat, drink. While the existing money has been cut.

— RusmadiHead of the East Kalimantan Forestry Agency, describing the financial challenges faced by firefighters.

Rusmadi, the Head of the East Kalimantan Forestry Agency, confirmed that some of his staff have resorted to using personal funds for firefighting efforts. He acknowledged the difficulties this situation created in financing field operations, especially with the existing budget being reduced. Rusmadi stated he has been actively communicating the urgency of the situation to the Regional Secretary and the Governor, seeking solutions to ensure the continuity of fire suppression activities.

But I can't talk to the Governor directly, I only talk to the Regional Secretary. 'Madam Regional Secretary, find a solution.' Alhamdulillah, it was approved.

— RusmadiHead of the East Kalimantan Forestry Agency, explaining his communication strategy to secure funding.

"I keep 'shouting' to the Regional Secretary and the Governor. If we move in the field, it's impossible, sir. They need to eat, drink. While the existing money has been cut," Rusmadi was quoted as saying, highlighting the critical need for immediate financial support. He expressed gratitude that the Regional Secretary has agreed to find a solution.

So, Rp19 billion is divided, there are items. There is ecosystem restoration, there are forest fires. So it's not Rp19 billion all for forest fires, but the Forestry Agency gets Rp19 billion.

— RusmadiHead of the East Kalimantan Forestry Agency, clarifying the allocation of funds.

The agency received an allocation of approximately Rp19 billion, intended for various forestry needs, including ecosystem restoration and fire management. However, this fund is not solely dedicated to combating fires, and its disbursement is subject to budget shifts, with the earliest expected release by September 2026. Despite these financial hurdles, Rusmadi stressed that personnel must continue their efforts on the ground, assuring them that their personal expenditures will be reimbursed.

Hopefully soon, at the latest by September. Because there are budget shifts. We can't force it if it's not time yet.

— RusmadiHead of the East Kalimantan Forestry Agency, discussing the timeline for fund disbursement.
About this summary

Originally published by CNN Indonesia in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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