Volcanoes, wildfires, floods, and earthquakes intensify questions over prevention spending and preparedness.
Indonesia is confronting several major disasters at once, renewing scrutiny of how one of the world’s most disaster-prone countries divides funding between prevention, preparedness and emergency response.
Multiple Disasters Stretch National Resources
Indonesia’s disaster agencies are simultaneously responding to volcanic activity, severe forest and land fires across Sumatra and Kalimantan, and recovery from the August earthquake in East Nusa Tenggara. Anak Krakatau’s recent eruption alone sent ash as high as 15 kilometers and contributed to airport disruptions affecting nearly 3,000 flights and 341,000 passengers. BNPB said Indonesia recorded 1,730 disasters between January 1 and September 7, with forest and land fires and floods accounting for the largest shares.
BNPB Budget Had Faced Sharp Cut
Concerns about preparedness intensified after BNPB’s core 2026 budget was set at Rp491 billion, around 75 percent below the Rp2.01 trillion outlook for 2025. The reduction formed part of government austerity measures introduced under President Prabowo Subianto. Critics warned that cutting resources for disaster agencies could weaken prevention and readiness in a country exposed to earthquakes, eruptions, floods, landslides, droughts, and wildfires.
Total Funding Has Since Increased
BNPB’s overall 2026 budget ceiling stands at about Rp5.7 trillion, including an initial Rp4.62 trillion allocation in ready-to-use emergency funds. Finance Ministry officials said around Rp950 billion in ready-to-use funds remained available as of September 8. BNPB is also processing a request to the Finance Ministry for another Rp5.67 trillion in emergency funding as disasters intensify. However, experts argue that the heavy reliance on emergency funds shows Indonesia still spends more on reacting to disasters than reducing risks before they happen.
Spending Priorities Draw Criticism
The disaster budget has also drawn comparisons with spending on President Prabowo’s flagship free nutritious meals program, which has been allocated hundreds of trillions of rupiah. Trisakti University public policy expert Trubus Hardiansyah argued that urgent disaster needs should not be sacrificed for other major programs. Greenpeace Indonesia climate expert Iqbal Damanik similarly criticized what he described as a “firefighter” approach in which authorities mobilize significant resources only after disasters have already occurred rather than investing sufficiently in prevention.
Prabowo Signals Higher Mitigation Spending
The scale of this year’s disasters has increased political pressure for change. BNPB reported 397 deaths, 2,109 injuries, more than 111,000 damaged homes, and millions of displaced people from disasters recorded so far in 2026. Prabowo acknowledged Indonesia’s permanent exposure to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions because of its location on the Pacific Ring of Fire and said his government must significantly increase disaster mitigation funding. BNPB has also called for better coordination between disaster-risk financing, climate funding, and development investment to strengthen long-term resilience.
Indonesia’s current emergencies highlight the financial cost of treating disaster response separately from long-term prevention. For Indonesians, greater investment in early warning systems, resilient infrastructure, fire prevention, evacuation planning, and local preparedness could reduce both casualties and economic losses. Singaporeans also have a stake in stronger Indonesian disaster management, as volcanic ash, wildfire haze, and transport disruptions can quickly cross borders and affect aviation, air quality, trade, and regional connectivity.
Sources: Asia News Network (2026) , The Jakarta Post (2026)
Keywords: Indonesia Disaster Budget, BNPB Budget 2026, Disaster Mitigation Indonesia, Anak Krakatau Eruption, Indonesia Wildfires, Disaster Preparedness
