PMI Provides Free Drinking Water for Outdoor Workers Amid Rising Temperatures
As hot weather intensifies across various regions of Indonesia, the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) is providing free drinking water services for the public in the MT Hub area of Cawang Station, Jakarta. This facility is primarily aimed at vulnerable groups, including outdoor workers such as online motorcycle taxi drivers, street vendors, public transport users, and pedestrians active in the vicinity.
The free drinking water is supplied through water stations, intended to help the public maintain hydration and reduce the risk of health problems caused by exposure to high temperatures, such as dehydration and heat exhaustion.
“The public can take drinking water for free using personal tumblers or paper cups that we have provided. We hope this facility can help outdoor workers and local residents stay hydrated to avoid dehydration, which can impact their health,” said Dewi Ariyani, Head of the Disaster Risk Reduction Sub-Division at PMI Headquarters.
This activity is part of the Heat Action Day campaign, commemorated annually on 2 June. Through this campaign, PMI encourages the public to be better prepared for hot weather by adopting simple measures to protect their health.
“This activity also serves as an implementation of the Urban Heat Programme currently being run by PMI together with the American Red Cross to increase urban communities’ resilience to the risks of hot weather and its health impacts. The effects of extreme heat can be prevented before they become a humanitarian crisis, especially for vulnerable groups,” explained Niniek Kun Naryatie, Head of the Environment and Climate Adaptation Division at PMI Headquarters.
In addition to providing free drinking water, PMI volunteers also conducted public education on how to adapt to hot weather. The education covered various self-protection measures, such as using an umbrella or hat when active under the scorching sun, applying sunscreen, wearing loose, light-coloured clothing that easily absorbs sweat, and increasing water consumption.
As part of the campaign, PMI also distributed umbrellas and hand fans to several outdoor workers, including mobile coffee vendors on bicycles, parking attendants, and street vendors who work daily under direct sunlight.
Indonesia is currently facing a trend of rising air temperatures year on year. The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has recorded an increasing temperature trend compared to normal conditions in several regions.