President Prabowo orders substantial increase in disaster mitigation budget

President Prabowo orders substantial increase in disaster mitigation budget

President Prabowo Subianto has called for a substantial increase in Indonesia's disaster mitigation budget to strengthen the country's preparedness and response capabilities as the nation grapples with ongoing natural disasters including earthquakes, wildfires, and volcanic eruptions.

Speaking during a limited cabinet meeting via video conference from Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Monday, the president emphasized that budget allocations for disaster mitigation must be significantly raised during his administration.

"We must always be ready to face such a situation. We are learning from it. In my administration, budget allocations for disaster mitigation must be substantially raised," Prabowo stated.

Indonesia faces more than 2,000 natural disasters annually, with floods and landslides regularly occurring during the rainy season between November and March. The scale of the challenge is immense, with more than 260 million people living in natural disaster risk areas across the archipelago.

The current 2026 State Budget allocates Rp 60 trillion for disaster emergency response, according to State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi. The president's directive signals a push for even greater funding levels to enhance preparedness measures.

Equipment and asset expansion

Prabowo instructed State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi to coordinate with Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa and National Development Planning Minister Rachmat Pambudy to develop a comprehensive disaster mitigation master plan. The plan must prioritize adequate human resources and equipment deployment.

The president specifically called for acquiring more helicopters, water pumps, and fire containment equipment to enable rapid and effective disaster responses. He also emphasized the need to provide rural areas, particularly those facing recurring forest fires, with additional small-sized excavators.

Indonesia's location within the Pacific Ring of Fire makes it especially vulnerable to seismic activity and volcanic eruptions, demanding extraordinary government efforts to protect public health and safety.

Aircraft carrier for disaster operations

In a notable development, the government plans to utilize Indonesia's first aircraft carrier, the Giuseppe Garibaldi, to support disaster response operations. The vessel, donated by Italy and valued at approximately €54 million ($62.7 million), is currently en route from Italy to Indonesia for a handover ceremony.

The Giuseppe Garibaldi, which was commissioned into the Italian Navy in September 1985 and decommissioned in October 2024, will be modified to carry 10 medium-class helicopters. Each helicopter will be capable of delivering four to five tons of water for wildfire suppression operations.

Weather modification expansion

The president also directed an expansion of weather modification operations, tasking the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) with identifying the most effective materials for cloud seeding activities. Indonesia has significantly increased its use of this technology, conducting 252 cloud-seeding operations between 2021 and August 2026, compared to just 85 operations in the preceding decade.

Weather modification operations in Indonesia typically involve dispersing sodium chloride and calcium oxide from aircraft to manage rainfall intensity and mitigate drought conditions that contribute to wildfire risks.

The government intends to deploy additional aircraft dedicated to intensifying these weather modification efforts as part of the broader disaster prevention strategy.

"We should not wait for a disaster to occur. It is crucial that we take preparatory steps well in advance," Prabowo emphasized, underscoring his administration's proactive approach to disaster management.

Indonesia's National Agency for Disaster Countermeasure (BNPB), established in 2008 and reporting directly to the president, will play a central role in implementing the enhanced disaster mitigation measures.