Madani emphasises importance of protecting vulnerable groups during forest fires

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Executive Director of the Sustainable Madani Foundation, Nadia Hadad, has reminded the government of the vital importance of protecting vulnerable groups of people during the management of forest and land fires (karhutla).

According to Nadia, protecting vulnerable groups is essential given that these populations face greater risks due to exposure to fire smoke.

“What is most rarely discussed, unfortunately, in discussions regarding these forest fires, is the issue of these vulnerable groups,” she stated during a public discussion titled “Already Fallen, Hit by Smoke”, held online in Jakarta on Thursday.

Furthermore, Nadia noted that the vulnerable groups requiring attention include children, the elderly, women (including pregnant women), and persons with disabilities.

She explained that amidst forest fires, children face the risk of respiratory disorders, while the elderly carry a higher risk due to complex health conditions. Women, including pregnant women, also face significant impacts during smoke crises. They must continue to meet family needs while simultaneously protecting family members from exposure to unhealthy air.

“Therefore, if there is a smoke crisis, women are often the first ones asked to find alternatives for family needs. She must look after her child to ensure they can breathe air that is not too polluted,” she said.

Meanwhile, Nadia stated that persons with disabilities face different challenges because their needs are diverse, particularly during evacuation processes and the distribution of aid.

“For persons with disabilities, it is even more complex, especially since their needs vary. Facing these obstacles is what unfortunately causes them to be left behind during every evacuation,” she said.

Nadia subsequently emphasised that these conditions must be a priority in forest fire management, ensuring that community protection efforts do not merely focus on the total area burned, but also on the groups most severely impacted.

In her view, attention to vulnerable groups is also crucial to ensure that forest fire management can reach communities with differing needs while facing the impacts of fire smoke.