Indonesian women’s group prepares to deal with forest fires
JAKARTA, Indonesia – An Indonesian women’s group is preparing to help people if El Niño triggers severe wildfires in the coming months.
Aisyiyah, the oldest women’s organization, has reopened its “oxygen houses” in Kalimantan and Sumatra.
It had established these houses in 2019 when 3.1 million hectares of land in Indonesia were destroyed by forest fires.
Equipped with air purifiers and first aid supplies, they provide a haven for young and old people, as well as those most affected by air pollution.
Aisyiyah volunteers will also work to raise awareness in the community about how families can best protect themselves from the harmful effects of smoke.
The organization has been active in environmental protection since 2015 and has been praised in recent years for its efforts to reduce damage from wildfires.
In addition, the houses also provide education and support services for those affected by wildfires.
In 2022, the group called for a spiritual battle against climate change.
Forest fires destroyed 3.1 million hectares of land in Indonesia in 2019.
In 2020, President Joko Widodo instructed government officials to find a “permanent solution” to the wildfires.
Indonesia was praised after the archipelago saw a significant decrease in forest fire damage between 2020 and July 2023.
However, experts say the first El Niño event since 2019 will be a major test and cause concern for those living in the line of fire.
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