Expensive masks

Expensive masks

From Neraca

The Indonesian Forum for Environment (Walhi)) has appealed to the community to show consideration to fellow countrymen who have been hit by the haze disaster in the provinces. The forum has invited communities in big cities to donate money to help purchase face masks which will be distributed free to the poor.

The masks function to filter pollution from the air people breathe and are badly needed by people affected by the disaster. Unfortunately, the price of masks has sharply increased.

I would like to appeal to other organizations to take similar steps, e.g. the organization of pharmaceutics producers (GP Farmasi). This organization certainly understands fully the need for medicine to alleviate respiratory tract problems.

GP Farmasi has so far shown no inclination to help out. It has apparently not tried to prevent the increase in mask prices.

I am also afraid there are people who use the situation to make big profits on the sale of medicine and masks.

I hope that GP Farmasi will take concrete action by sending a team to alleviate the sufferings of those hit by the haze these past few weeks.

It would be praiseworthy if some members of the organization offered special prices for the masks. They may contact Walhi for the distribution of masks to poor communities.

ALI WONG

Bogor, West Java