WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today President Obama announced nearly $3 million in humanitarian assistance to help Indonesia fight forest fires and address the negative impacts that the fires and resulting haze are having on people's health. The forest fires have been exacerbated due to the effects El Niño has had on drought conditions in Indonesia. 

 

This new assistance will provide firefighting equipment-including high pressure pumps, fire retardant clothing, and face masks-to help firefighting crews battle fires in the hardest hit areas. More than 1,500 fire hotspots have produced a haze which has spread throughout the region. This haze has significantly damaged air quality and caused more than 425,000 cases of acute respiratory infections according to the World Health Organization. The new funding will also provide face masks to minimize health care workers exposure to harmful toxins, special "clean air" shelters where respiratory sufferers will receive treatment, and support for the promotion of public health messages on how best to cope with the haze and negative air quality.

 

In addition, USAID's Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance will continue to monitor the effects of El Niño on Indonesia through disaster experts on the ground and in Washington, D.C. who are assessing humanitarian needs and coordinating response. USAID is also partnering with the U.S. Forest Service to send fire specialists to Indonesia to provide technical assistance on fire investigations, operation and management of firefighting teams, and spatial data. 

 

The United States remains committed to helping the people of Indonesia during this difficult time.