Kalimantan Haze Emergency Appeal

After 3 months of suffering from daily inhalation of toxic smoke from the burning of trees, the rainy season in Indonesia finally arrived mid-November! The rain was welcomed with joy by all the inhabitants of Bukit Batu, where YUM has established projects for the past 15 years. From a level of 3.900 on the Polluant Standard Index (PSI) - a level of 300 is already considered hazardous - the levels finally went down to a safer level of 200 after a few days of rain. However, our work is not over...

According to the Center for International Forestry Research, “The effects of any smoke on human health are well documented: headaches, dizziness, fatigue bronchitis, asthma, pneumonia, and cardiovascular disease. In Central Kalimantan, however, the full extent of long-term smoke inhalation on local people remains unknown.” (“Don’t inhale: Scientists look at what the Indonesian haze is made of”, blog CIFOR, 21 October 2015)

Since the beginning of this project, the YUM staff have tirelessly continued organizing medical check-ups and distributing relief packages in nearby villages. Even weekends were used to go from one village to another in hopes of helping as many people as possible. In the next few months, we are hoping to start the following activities in order to address the long-term effects of the smoke on the health of the inhabitants:

1. Detoxification treatment: Post-smoke assistance, including detoxification treatments, is being delivered and continues to be required to return to good health
2. Water quality testing in wells: The fires and associated release of toxic substance is highly likely to have contaminated the water table, compromising some of the wells and other drinking water sources of the community.  A series of tests on the water quality in wells is proposed.
3. Psycho-social impacts: The ongoing haze situation has resulted in high levels of emotional distress and depression, potentially leading to post-disaster syndrome in the community.  A closer assessment will be required to verify the extent of the impact of the haze on the spirit of the people.

Thank you again for your continuous support! We will send you another update in 3 months time. Before then, please help us to spread the word about YUM's projects in Indonesia.

Like our Facebook page - Follow our Instagram - Subscribe to our Youtube page

Links:

• Short video on YUM's haze relief work in Central Kalimantan