Early action to prepare for El Nino-related drought and forest fires

Project period:

11.09.2026 - 10.12.2026

Granted amount:

396,005,- DKK

Total budget:

396,005,- DKK

Organization:

Orangutang Fonden/Save the Orangutan

Partners:

Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation

Pool:

DERF - Nødhjælpspuljen

Grant type:

Early Action(EA)

World goals:

Goal 1: No Poverty

Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being

Goal 13: Climate Action

Goal 15: Life on Land

Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals

Efforts take place in:

Indonesia

Resume

In anticipation of a moderate-to-strong El Niño 2026, forecast to peak in November 2026 (The World Meteorological Organization's (WMO) 3 August 2026; The International Research Institute (IRI) late July 2026 update with 100% El Niño probability for September through November), Save the Orangutan (STO) and Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation (BOSF) will implement anticipatory action particularly for vulnerable people across 4 peatland villages in 2 districts of Central Kalimantan. Indonesia Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG's) 3 August 2026 revised outlook confirms that dry-season 2026 in these villages will start around three to four weeks earlier than normal, last at least a month longer, bring below-normal rainfall throughout, and peak in November. Over three months (September–December 2026) the intervention will strengthen community-based fire preparedness, and assistance for the highest-vulnerability households ahead of the anticipated peak-drought and haze w