South Kalimantan official requests volunteer welfare support in forest fire budget

Habib Umar Hasan Alie Bahasyim, a member of the South Kalimantan Regional House of Representatives (DPRD), has called on the central government to ensure that forest and land fire (Karhutla) mitigation funds prioritize the welfare of volunteers.

While acknowledging the Rp80 billion allocation from the state budget for several regencies in South Kalimantan, Bahasyim emphasized that firefighting efforts must extend beyond mere fire suppression. He noted that volunteers and Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) personnel work around the clock, facing significant safety risks and physical exhaustion.

Bahasyim requested that the budget be utilized to support the health, operational needs, and economic stability of volunteers and their families, arguing that financial aid cannot fully compensate for the risks taken to protect the community and environment.