‘It smells like charred earth’: BBC at epicenter of Indonesia fires, sparking haze crisis in Singapore and Malaysia
Clean air shelters offer respite from the hazepublished at 04:48 BST
Adan
Report from Palangka Raya
As thick haze from forest and land fires continues to smother Palangka Raya, one of the worst-hit towns in Central Kalimantan, residents have sought refuge in “clean air shelters” set up by local volunteers.
The RAKAT coalition, a network of civil society groups, has been running two such shelters since August, providing facilities such as air purifiers, oxygen, nebulizers and basic medicines. The shelters are open every day in the evening.
Coordinator Agung Sesa said the initiative was launched to support residents affected by the worsening haze, especially vulnerable groups such as children and the elderly.
Shelters receive about 10 to 15 visitors a day, many seeking help for breathing difficulties, persistent coughs and eye irritation.
“Most complaints involve shortness of breath, cough and eye pain,” Agung said, adding that some visitors needed urgent treatment for breathing problems. Volunteers are looking for donations of medicine, vitamins, milk and oxygen.
Gn world
