Health Ministry strengthens logistics response for 5.4 million affected by forest and land fire haze
The Ministry of Health has said it is strengthening logistical assistance, including masks and oxygen concentrators, to respond to the impact of forest and land fires on 5.4 million people across seven provinces.
“In total, 5.3 million masks have been distributed to areas already affected by forest and land fires. The mask stock in the provinces is still sufficient, with 2.7 million remaining,” said Deputy Health Minister Dante Saksono Harbuwono in Jakarta on Friday.
He explained that the best protection is simply to wear a mask and avoid outdoor activities in areas with poor air quality. He expressed hope that as firefighting efforts continue, pollution will decrease and the demand for masks will decline accordingly.
In addition, the ministry continues to identify needs in each affected province, regency, and city to ensure mask requirements are met, while also carrying out public education campaigns.
The ministry is also supplying oxygen concentrators to locations in urgent need so that oxygen requirements can be met promptly. Furthermore, it has placed Public Safety Centres, health service posts, referral hospitals, and logistical assistance mobilisation on standby.
According to data cited from the Ministry of Health’s Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC), as of 27 August there were 4,082 cases of respiratory tract infections in areas affected by forest and land fires, with 13,449 cumulative cases in the same regions.
The prolonged dry season has triggered an increase in forest and land fire incidents since June 2026. Seven provinces have declared emergency alert status for forest and land fire disasters: South Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, West Kalimantan, East Kalimantan, Jambi, Riau, and South Sumatra.
As of 27 August 2026, data from the Air Pollutant Standard Index (ISPU) in affected provinces shows that Pontianak, West Kalimantan, recorded a score of 328, which is classified as hazardous.