Swedish aid for forest fires

JAKARTA: The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) handed over forest fire-fighting equipment worth $750,000 from the Swedish government to the Indonesian government yesterday.

UNDP resident representative Ravi Rajan said the equipment was to help Indonesia improve its capability to fight forest fires in Sumatra and Kalimantan.

The donation was given in a ceremony attended by Rajan, Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Azwar Anaz and Swedish Ambassador to Indonesia Mikael Lindstrom.

The Swedish Rescue Services Agency, which provided the donation, has so far given a variety of assistance equal to roughly Rp 10 billion (US$1 million), the UNDP said.

The latest donation consists of 10 sets of basic fire-fighting equipment and 10 seats of peat fire-fighting equipment as well as protective clothing. Also included are four Swedish fire-fighting instructors who will train 60 prospective instructors in Riau and in East Kalimantan.