UN says forest fires need rapid response<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): A United Nations body said here yesterday that a
\nrapid response was still required to cope with forest fires in
\nSumatra, Kalimantan and Irian Jaya despite some respite in the
\npast week.<\/p>\n
The United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination
\n(UNDAC) said that even though the state of emergency appeared to
\nbe over, the ongoing peat, coal and surface fires continued to
\ncontribute to the spreading haze.<\/p>\n
"This is having an adverse affect on human health, the
\nenvironment and the economy," said UNDAC, which sent a team to
\nSumatra, Kalimantan and Irian Jaya late last month for two weeks
\nto conduct on-site surveys in certain areas.<\/p>\n
The team was dispatched by the UN Department of Humanitarian
\nAffairs (UNDHA) to assist UN Resident Coordinator and the
\ngovernment in needs assessment, resource mobilization and the
\ncoordination of international assistance.<\/p>\n
The team, which carried out field assessment missions to the
\nareas along with several donor country representatives,
\nidentified several priority needs.<\/p>\n
They include ground fire-fighting equipment and medical
\nsupplies for the treatment of respiratory infections, asthma,
\nconjunctivitis and diarrhea.<\/p>\n
Also needed are small water treatment units to purify the
\ndrinking water supply. In Irian Jaya, water jerrycans and kitchen
\nutensils are also urgently needed, as well as fuel for air
\ntransportation, it said.<\/p>\n
Ravi Rajan, UN Resident Coordinator here and also the resident
\ncoordinator for the United Nations Development Program (UNDP),
\nsaid coordinated efforts should continue to deal with the
\nimmediate crises.<\/p>\n
"(However) an assessment of the long-term impact of the
\nemergency on health, the economy and the environment -- including
\nbiodiversity... organic production and decomposition -- and the
\ndevelopment of medium and long-term strategies for future fire
\nprevention and control are called for," Rajan said.<\/p>\n
UNDP has pledged US$200,000 to initiate a forest fire impact
\nassessment and mitigation project. The international community
\nhas up to date pledged cash contributions valued at more than
\n$1.5 million, of which $630,000 is channeled through the UNDHA.<\/p>\n
"Pledged in-kind contributions reached $2.55 million, but the
\nvalue of in-kind contributions has not yet been established,"
\nUNDP said.<\/p>\n
The Indonesian Forum for Environment (Walhi) announced
\nyesterday that it has dispatched 105,250 respiratory masks to
\nKalimantan and Sumatra where an estimated 20 million people are
\nfaced with respiratory problems because of the haze.<\/p>\n
Walhi said the demand for the masks was higher, at 4,130,000.
\nIt also announced yesterday that it has managed to raise Rp
\n104,435,000 from public donations to help those affected by the
\nhaze.<\/p>\n
According to the Environmental Impact Management Agency, the
\nnumber of hot spots, or fire locations detected by satellite, in
\nSumatra and Kalimantan declined from 62 Sunday to 19 Monday.<\/p>\n
But reports about the choking haze are still pouring in. The
\nhaze in some areas caused airports to remain closed.<\/p>\n
Antara reported that Padang in West Sumatra, for instance, had
\nfor the past three days been blanketed by haze worsened by
\nunpredictable drizzle. Residents have become used to darkness
\nalmost all day long, it said.<\/p>\n
Palangka Raya in Central Kalimantan was also suffering from
\nthick haze, the news agency said.<\/p>\n
Antara also reported yesterday that 6,217 hectares of forest
\nin the Lorentz National Park in Irian Jaya's Jayawijaya regency
\nhave been ravaged since last April. (aan)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/un-says-forest-fires-need-rapid-response-1447893297",
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