Indonesia Prepares to Accept Foreign Firefighting Aid Amid Haze Crisis
Indonesia will accept international assistance from neighboring countries to battle severe forest and land fires that have blanketed parts of Southeast Asia in thick haze, Foreign Minister Arrmanatha Nasir announced on Oct 15, 2026. The confirmation ends days of mixed signals from Indonesian officials regarding offers of help from Singapore and Malaysia as the country struggles through its worst fire season in more than a decade.
“Regarding the assistance that has been offered by neighbouring countries, this has been discussed, and it is currently being processed,” Arrmanatha told reporters at the Parliament building in central Jakarta. He added that President Prabowo Subianto expressed his approval and that technical-level discussions are actively underway.
Technical Discussions and Resource Assessments Underway
The National Disaster Mitigation Agency, known as BNPB, is managing the operational talks regarding foreign deployment. Newly appointed BNPB head Lieutenant-General Kristomei Sianturi stated at the Presidential Palace that officials are auditing domestic capacity before integrating foreign resources.
“I will first take stock of the assets we have at our disposal, both at the local and central government level, and then identify what international assistance can be brought in to help us accelerate our efforts,” Kristomei said.
This announcement follows an initial period of administrative hesitation from Jakarta. On Oct 13, Environment Minister Jumhur Hidayat told state news agency Antara that the government needed to curate offers of assistance to determine their significance and fit. Honi Havana, a spokesman for the Coordinating Ministry for Political and Security Affairs, echoed those sentiments on Oct 14, noting that officials needed time to discuss operational requirements, personnel deployment, and logistical support.
Regional Fallout and Dry Ice Trials in South Sumatra
The prolonged fires on the islands of Sumatra and Kalimantan—exacerbated by a strong El Niño weather phenomenon—have triggered widespread disruptions across the region. The crisis has driven up respiratory illnesses, forced school closures, and caused flight cancellations in Indonesia as well as neighbouring countries.
In response to the smoke accumulation, Indonesia planned a trial using dry ice, or solid carbon dioxide, to clear the haze over urban centers in South Sumatra, according to the Coordinating Ministry for Political and Security Affairs. Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Dudung Abdurachman explained that planes would douse the skies with 1.5 tons of dry ice to break down trapped lower-atmosphere smoke and force it upward.
Meanwhile, regional fallout continues to mount. Low-cost carrier Firefly extended flight cancellations between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore through Wednesday, while Singapore reactivated subsidies for haze-related healthcare for the first time since 2015.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Haze Crisis
Which neighboring countries offered firefighting assistance to Indonesia?
Malaysia and Singapore offered assistance to help combat the severe forest fires and resulting transboundary haze.
How is Indonesia planning to clear the smoke from urban areas?
The Indonesian government scheduled a trial using 1.5 tons of dry ice dropped from planes over urban centers in South Sumatra to break down trapped smoke in the lower atmosphere and increase visibility.
Which Indonesian government agency is handling the technical deployment of foreign help?
The National Disaster Mitigation Agency, or BNPB, is managing the operational and technical discussions regarding international assistance under the direction of Lieutenant-General Kristomei Sianturi.
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