Borneo's Under Fires and Haze Emergency! Support Dayak Youth Volunteer Firefighters

Donate Now to Save Borneo's Rainforest and Help Dayak Indigenous communities! 

Ranu Welum's Indigenous firefighters refuse to be the victims. They are ready to face the flames, but they can't do it alone. Your contribution, no matter how big or small, will make a lasting impact. 

This fundraiser is organized by Emmanuela Shinta (in the picture), co-executive director of Earth Codes. 

Why is this an Emergency? 🔥

The lush, ancient rainforests of Borneo, home to Dayak Indigenous communities, have long been under threat from deforestation, with fires a recurring nightmare for the region.

Philius, a Dayak elder

Peatland Fires engulfed the area, have been lasting for the past two months

While fires have been set every year, and the combination of Godzilla EL Nino and droughts from the climate crisis have created an unexpected situation. The fires have spread more rapidly and extensively than ever before, with over 121,000 fire spots all over the island, burning more than 2 million acres of land and forest. Indonesia's carbon emissions from intense wildfires between September 1 and September 7, 2026, actually reached 19.7 million metric tons. The sky is yellow dark. The whole island is now turning into a gas chamber. 

Wildlife animals such as Orang Utan, proboscis monkey, pangolin and slow loris died trapped in fires. People are dying too; 3 firefighters have died while trying to extinguish fires, children and elders died after respiratory failures, babies are in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit vomitting blood and nosebleed, adults suffer stroke and heart attacks due to particulate micro exposure, traffic accident increase due to thick smoke.  In the past week, the AQI is 4000+ with the pollution level of PM 2.5 is between 1800-2500, equals to smoking 95 cigarettes a day. Toxic gas such as Nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC), Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) and metana make the air poisonous. Per October, 174.000 people are hospitalised because of Acute Respiratory Infection. Among them, 45.000 are children under 5 years.  The island is turning into gas chamber, trapping 4 million people inside with nowhere to escape or hide. This is a catasthrope. 

October 14th 2026, Palangkaraya

Migel, a 3 years old has been coughing and sick for a few weeks. Disclaimer: Migel's mother gave permission to use his photo for campaign and awarenessVila, coordinator of Haze Shelter initiative, standing in the burning peat areas

In the heart of the devastating haze crisis in Borneo, the Ranu Welum Foundation is leading a groundbreaking initiative to empower Indigenous Dayak youth to become the frontline heroes. Despite directly affected by the fires and toxic smoke, not only these warriors are stepping up  to battle the blazes and save Borneo's precious rainforest, they are also helping Dayak Indigenous communities and local people who are in the danger and serious health risks, especially babies, elders, pregnant women, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups. 

Deti, women firefighter who is also the coordinator of Indigenous Dayak women movement, standing next to the half-dead tree after extinguishing the flame

Actions:

> Creating and operating 26 Haze Shelters (Safe House as evacuation center) for public. (per October, 2.231 people receive help and medical treatment at the shelters. We keep increasing the number of the shelters.)

> Mobilizing and supporting 200+ youth volunteers firefighters at the frontline, battling the fires day and night for 3 months.

> Distributing medical supplies and conducting medical services for the survivors/villagers affected by the smokes without access to treatment

> Monitoring and reporting Air Quality, and Educating people on Fire and Haze Protocols, including guides how to create safe room

PM 2,5 equals to smoking 104 cigarettes in a day

Supply at the Haze Shelter, Mask N95, Oxycan and Vitamins

Air Filter and Air Purifier are essential to clean the air inside the shelter

🌿 Why is this Mission so Crucial?

Borneo's rainforest is one of the most biodiverse places on Earth, home to countless endangered species and vital to our planet's health. The Dayak People are the guardians of this important ecosystem. Therefore it’s crucial for us to act now and support these brave people.

The Earth Codes recognizes the immense potential of Indigenous Dayak youth as the guardians of their ancestral lands. This fundraising campaign is a collaboration between Earth Codes Observatory and Ranu Welum Foundation to support the Borneo Fire and Haze Emergency Response. Your donation directly supports the local Dayak communities who are on the front lines of the fire crisis.

Your support can make all the difference!

$2 N95 Mask

Filtering Particulate matters 2,5 from entering the lungs

$30 Half Face Respirator Mask

Filtering Particulate matters 2,5 from entering the lungs for firefighters and during hazardous air

$100 Oxygen Tank

First aid during the hazardous air both for firefighters and local people

$300 Air Purifier 

Cleaning the polluted air and keep the Haze Shelter safe for people who evacuate.

$300 Oxygen Concentrator

Equipment at the haze shelters

$50 / day for Haze Shelter operational 

Water, electricity, food, vitamins and basic medical care for people at the shelters

$150/ day for Firefighters Logistics Support 

Ensuring our firefighters have the sustenance and fuel they need to stay on the front lines is vital. Your contribution here is critical.

$1500-$2500 / Setting Up One Haze Shelter

One shelter can accommodate up to 40 people, depends on the size. 

$2500 / Medical Service 

Medical check up and treatment from doctors for villagers affected worst by the smoke. This contribution will allow us to treat 100 villagers. 

🌳 Your Contribution Matters! 🌳

Donate Now to Save Borneo's Rainforest and Help Dayak Indigenous communities! 

Ranu Welum's Indigenous firefighters refuse to be the victims. They are ready to face the flames, but they can't do it alone. Your contribution, no matter how big or small, will make a lasting impact. It's the key to ensure their success in preserving one of the world's most precious ecosystems. Together, we can make a difference and safeguard the future of Borneo's rainforest for generations to come.

Let's Stand Together For Our Earth. 🌏  THANK YOU!

Emmanuela Shinta, the co-executive director of Earth Codes, with Indigenous youth volunteer firefighters

• • $60,000 USD for mobilizing and supporting over 200 Indigenous youth volunteer firefighters who have battled the fires day and night, providing equipment, safety gear, medical aid, and logistical support since August.
  • $40,000 USD for Haze Shelters and direct help to affected communities. This includes building and operating 34 public haze shelters and 24 Family Shelters, which provided clean air and medical care to over 4,000 babies, children, women, and vulnerable groups. The use includes the purchase of oxygen tanks, oxygen concentrators, air purifiers, Air Conditioners, operational and logistics. These shelters have been running since July, with their numbers increasing as needed.
  • $30,000 USD for operational, transportation, and shipping costs, as well as volunteers' health and well-being.