A public appeal by Indonesian actress and singer Maudy Ayunda has brought renewed attention to the clean water difficulties facing residents of Kampung Waan in Papua Selatan, where the combined challenges of dry conditions, forest and land fires, and difficult geographical access have made basic water supplies increasingly difficult to secure.
Through a social media appeal on November 6, 2026, Maudy called on members of the public, organisations and potential partners to help identify resources and practical solutions for providing clean water to affected communities. Her initiative followed discussions with Yayasan RITA, a local organisation involved in fire response and water distribution in Merauke.
The appeal highlights a humanitarian concern that can easily be overlooked during a forest fire emergency. While firefighting operations focus on containing flames and protecting land and settlements, communities also need reliable access to water for drinking and everyday household activities.
In Kampung Waan, the problem is particularly difficult. Residents have reportedly tried digging into the ground in search of water sources, but their efforts have not yet succeeded. The settlement’s remote location, accessible only by air or sea, also complicates the delivery of water and emergency supplies.
Maudy’s initiative has therefore focused not simply on raising awareness but on connecting people who may have the technical knowledge, equipment, distribution networks or resources needed to develop a workable response.
The appeal has attracted attention to the wider challenges of disaster response in Papua, where environmental conditions and geographical barriers can make the delivery of essential services particularly demanding.
How Maudy’s Humanitarian Initiative Began
The initiative was developed at Aforkarhutla looking for local communities and networks in Papua that could provide information about the needs arising from the ongoing forest and land fires, known in Indonesia as kebakaran hutan dan lahan or karhutla.
In her Instagram post on November 6, she explained that she initially sought connections through her partner, Hutan Itu Indonesia, an organisation that works on forest-related issues.
That effort led her to Yayasan RITA, whose members were already involved in activities in areas affected by fires. According to Maudy, the organisation had been helping with firefighting efforts and distributing clean water to residents around Merauke who were experiencing water shortages.
“Papua is also experiencing forest and land fires. Some time ago, I tried to find local communities and networks in Papua through my partner, Hutan Itu Indonesia. From there, I connected with friends at Yayasan RITA, who have also been involved in firefighting efforts in affected areas and helping distribute clean water to residents around Merauke who are experiencing drought,” Maudy wrote in her social media statement, as quoted by Okezone on November 7.
The connection gave her an opportunity to understand the situation through people already working with affected communities.
After discussions with Yayasan RITA, Maudy learned that Kampung Waan faced an especially urgent need for clean water. The information prompted her to broaden her appeal beyond the immediate network of organisations involved in the response.
Her approach reflects an important principle in humanitarian assistance: understanding the actual needs of communities before deciding what kind of support should be delivered.
Rather than announcing a fixed aid package without knowing the logistical requirements, she asked the public to help identify practical resources that could reach the settlement.
Kampung Waan Faces a Difficult Search for Clean Water
The situation in Kampung Waan illustrates how environmental emergencies can place additional pressure on communities that already face geographical isolation.
According to Maudy’s account, residents have attempted to find water by digging into the ground in search of natural springs. Those efforts, however, had not produced the results they needed at the time of her appeal.
The problem is compounded by the settlement’s limited transport connections. Kampung Waan can only be reached by air or sea, making the movement of water supplies, equipment and other essential goods more complicated than in areas connected by road.
Transport limitations are particularly important when the assistance required involves heavy equipment or regular deliveries. Providing an initial supply of drinking water may help address an immediate need, but a sustainable solution requires a reliable source and a practical system for distribution.
Maudy also described difficulties faced by residents around Merauke, where people reportedly had to wait in long queues to obtain clean water.
“At Kampung Waan, residents have had to dig in search of a spring but have not yet succeeded. Its location far from the city and the fact that it can only be reached by air or sea make aid distribution more difficult. Meanwhile, residents around Merauke also have to queue for long periods to obtain clean water,” she said.
The account suggests that water shortages are not limited to a single settlement, although the circumstances and severity may differ between communities.
For families affected by drought and fire-related disruption, access to safe water is an immediate concern. It is essential for drinking, cooking, personal hygiene and other daily needs.
The challenge is not only to transport water to remote locations but also to identify arrangements that can continue functioning after emergency assistance has been delivered.
Public Appeal Focuses on Practical Solutions
Maudy’s appeal invited people with relevant information, professional experience, equipment or logistical connections to contribute to the effort.
One area she specifically highlighted was access to groundwater detection equipment. Such technology could help identify potential underground water sources and support efforts to determine whether a more permanent supply could be developed near the settlement.
She also sought information from people or organisations that had previously developed clean water solutions for areas with difficult geographical access.
“I would really like to connect with anyone who has information, connections, or resources that could help with the procurement or distribution of clean water.” Perhaps someone has access to groundwater detection equipment, has developed water supply solutions for areas with limited access, or has other alternative ideas,” Maudy wrote.
She directed interested parties to contact the Maudy Ayunda Foundation through its Instagram account, @maudyayundafoundation, or by email at foundation@maudyayunda.com.
This is an important distinction in understanding the initiative. The appeal reported by the media is primarily a request for public connections, technical resources and assistance with water procurement and distribution. It should not be described as a confirmed public fundraising campaign with a published donation target or a dedicated public donation account.
The approach may help connect the community’s needs with people who can provide specialised assistance, particularly in areas such as water exploration, transportation and supply management.
It also creates an opportunity for businesses, civil society organisations and technical specialists to contribute according to their capabilities.
BNPB Reports a 66 Percent Increase in Papua Selatan Hotspots
Maudy’s appeal came amid a wider forest and land fire situation that had drawn attention from Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB).
In an online press briefing on November 6, 2026, BNPB Acting Head of the Disaster Data, Information and Communication Centre Berton S.P. Panjaitan reported a significant increase in detected hotspots in Papua Selatan.
According to the figures he presented, Papua Selatan recorded a 66 percent increase in hotspots compared with the previous day. Central Kalimantan also experienced an increase, although at a lower rate of 20 percent.
Nationally, BNPB recorded 1,468 hotspots, with approximately 2,645 hectares of land still under fire management at the time of the briefing.
The figures indicated that Papua Selatan was among the regions experiencing a notable increase in fire activity.
The agency also reported reductions in three other provinces. Hotspots fell by 2 percent in Kalimatan Timur (East Kalimantan), 31 percent in Kalimantan Selatan (South Kalimantan) and 37 percent in Sulawesi Tengah (Central Sulawesi).
The figures underline the changing nature of Indonesia’s fire situation and the need for continued monitoring, prevention and response efforts.
For communities in Papua Selatan, the implications extend beyond the areas directly affected by flames. Dry conditions and the disruption associated with fires can place additional pressure on water availability, while smoke and environmental damage may create further public health concerns.
However, the reported 66 percent increase in hotspots is a measure of detected fire activity, not a direct measurement of the number of residents experiencing water shortages. Nor does it establish that El Niño alone caused the fires or the difficulties in Kampung Waan.
The connection between drought conditions, fire risk and water availability requires careful assessment by relevant meteorological and disaster management authorities.
El Niño and the Wider Challenge of Climate Resilience
The situation has also drawn attention to the importance of preparing communities for periods of reduced rainfall and heightened fire risk.
El Niño is a climate phenomenon associated with warmer-than-normal sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. Depending on its strength and interaction with regional weather patterns, it can influence rainfall distribution and increase the risk of dry conditions in parts of Indonesia.
In areas vulnerable to seasonal water shortages, prolonged dry periods can affect household water access, agricultural activities and the availability of water for firefighting.
For remote communities, these pressures can be particularly difficult because alternative sources of water may be far away and transportation options limited.
The experience reported in Kampung Waan therefore points to the importance of combining emergency relief with longer-term water security planning.
Potential solutions could include identifying sustainable groundwater sources, improving water storage, developing appropriate distribution arrangements and assessing whether rainwater harvesting systems could be suitable for local conditions.
These are possible areas for technical assessment rather than confirmed projects announced by Maudy or Yayasan RITA.
Any intervention would need to take account of local geography, water quality, community requirements, maintenance capacity and the practical costs of transporting equipment.
The priority is to identify a solution that can be maintained by or in partnership with the community, rather than relying solely on repeated deliveries during emergencies.
Public Figures Can Help Connect Communities with Resources
Maudy’s appeal also demonstrates how public figures can use their visibility to connect local humanitarian needs with a wider network of potential supporters.
Her involvement does not replace the work of government disaster agencies, local authorities or organisations operating on the ground. Instead, it offers an additional channel through which information and resources can be mobilised.
The connection with Hutan Itu Indonesia and Yayasan RITA was central to the development of the initiative. It helped Maudy move from a general awareness of the fires to a more specific understanding of the water supply difficulties affecting Kampung Waan.
That process highlights the value of cooperation between public figures and local organisations that understand the conditions in the affected areas.
It also reinforces the importance of ensuring that assistance is coordinated with residents and relevant authorities. In remote locations, poorly coordinated deliveries can create logistical problems, while equipment that is unsuitable for local conditions may be difficult to maintain.
A well-designed response should therefore begin with an assessment of what residents need, what resources are already available and which delivery methods are feasible.
For Kampung Waan, the most useful contribution may ultimately be a combination of technical expertise, appropriate equipment and a reliable system for accessing and distributing clean water.
Government and Community Cooperation Remains Essential
The water difficulties highlighted by Maudy also point to the broader responsibility of public institutions to strengthen basic services in remote parts of Papua.
Emergency assistance can help communities respond to immediate shortages, but long-term water security requires sustained planning and cooperation among local administrations, disaster management agencies, technical organisations and community representatives.
The challenge is particularly relevant in Papua Selatan, where settlements may be separated by considerable distances and where transport conditions can complicate the delivery of public services.
Improving access to clean water is not simply a matter of sending supplies during a crisis. It also involves identifying dependable sources, ensuring water quality, establishing storage facilities and maintaining distribution systems.
The role of local communities is equally important. Residents understand the geography of their surroundings and can provide valuable information about seasonal water availability, traditional sources and practical challenges.
Cooperation between this local knowledge and technical expertise can help ensure that interventions are appropriate and sustainable.
Maudy’s initiative has helped bring these issues into public discussion at a time when the region is facing heightened fire activity. The next step will be to translate that attention into practical support that reaches the people who need it.
Conclusion
Maudy Ayunda’s appeal for clean water assistance in Kampung Waan has brought a remote community’s urgent needs to a wider Indonesian audience. By connecting with Hutan Itu Indonesia and Yayasan RITA, she has helped identify a specific humanitarian challenge and invited the public to contribute knowledge, equipment and logistical resources.
The reported increase in Papua Selatan’s fire hotspots, combined with the difficulties residents face in finding water and the settlement’s limited transport access, underscores the need for coordinated action. Emergency water deliveries may provide temporary relief, but sustainable access will require reliable sources, appropriate technology and long-term cooperation between communities, civil society organisations and government authorities.
The significance of this initiative lies in its ability to turn public attention into practical solidarity. For the people of Kampung Waan, the most meaningful outcome will not be the visibility of the campaign, but the arrival of safe, dependable water supplies and a solution that continues to serve the community long after the immediate emergency has passed.
Read Also
Forrest and Land Fires Haze in Papua Triggers Urgent Regional Response
Papua Fire Hotspots Fall 82% Amid El Niño
