Because of continuous forest fires, the people of Central Kalimantan are suffering from the worst haze in history. The air pollution level has reached 3,000 - more than 10 times the hazardous level! The air has become a yellow color. People have difficulty breathing, suffer from constant headaches and more and more babies, children and pregnant mothers are experiencing acute respiratory infections. This project aims to distribute oxygen tanks, masks, eye drops, milk and vitamins to 7 villages.
Since August of this year, smoke coming from forest fires have engulfed the province of Central Kalimantan. Due to a prolonged El Nino this year, despite major efforts to extinguish the flames, there is no telling when the fires will subside and the air will clear. The 15,000 inhabitants of Bukit Batu, where YUM has its projects, have been suffering from many ailments caused by the toxic air pollution level.
Your support will provide the necessary immediate relief supplies such as masks, oxygen tanks, oxygen refills, milk, eye drops and vitamins, as well as educational leaflets on how the inhabitants can protect themselves from the smoke. Yayasan Usaha Mulia will be distributing these supplies to our communities in 7 different villages in the area of Central Kalimantan.
Pollutants in the air affect a person's lung capacity and growth, and are linked to ailments including lung cancer and heart disease. We are working in hopes that the relief supplies can reduce this future risk for our communities. Even if the rain comes in the next few weeks, there will be further health consequences for people living in the area due to food & water contamination, low water reserves and a possible break of dengue fever.
