Fuel Price Hike Slashes Central Java's Clean Water Aid by 70 Million Litres

The head of the Central Java Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), Bergas Catursasi Penanggungan, has revealed that the increase in fuel prices has caused a drastic decline in the availability of clean water aid for the dry season in Central Java. From the 123 million litres originally planned, BPBD offices across Central Java are now only able to provide around 44 to 46 million litres of clean water, a reduction of over 70 million litres. Bergas explained that before the conflict in the Middle East and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, his agency had planned to prepare 123 million litres of clean water aid for this year’s dry season. This figure had already factored in operational costs and human resources. However, these calculations changed after fuel prices, including non-subsidised diesel, rose as a result of the Middle East conflict. “So, from the original 123 to 127 million litres, with the fuel price increase, we finally arrived at a figure of around 44 to 46 million litres. That is the total water aid currently available that we have prepared,” Bergas stated during an interview. He added that the fuel price hike forced the BPBD to make adjustments. “We have to revise and adjust future operational costs,” he said. Bergas noted that since 5 June 2026, the BPBD has distributed approximately 3 million litres of clean water to affected areas across 15 regencies and cities, with Klaten receiving the largest share at 1.3 million litres. Consequently, the remaining clean water aid that the Central Java BPBD can still distribute stands at around 40 million litres. Bergas expressed optimism that this amount would be sufficient to meet the demand for clean water aid until the end of the year.