Forest fires in Indonesia expose 3 million people to haze

Widespread forest and land fires (karhutla) in Sumatra and Kalimantan have exposed approximately three million people across 37 regencies and cities to hazardous haze. As of mid-August 2026, burned areas have reached roughly 107,000 hectares nationally. The Indonesian National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) has urged the government to prioritize the protection of affected citizens, particularly vulnerable groups, noting that the haze threatens fundamental rights to health, education, and a clean environment.

In response to the crisis, the state logistics agency Bulog is mapping rice aid requirements for communities in Kalimantan. The agency reported that thick haze has hindered visibility and disrupted distribution services in several areas, including Sampit. Bulog is currently coordinating with local governments across West, Central, East, and South Kalimantan to ensure food security and adjust aid delivery to the evolving environmental conditions.