Residents of Palangkaraya, Indonesia, are increasingly relying on clean-air shelters to escape toxic haze caused by wildfires, with families spending significant time in bedrooms to protect vulnerable children.
Families in Palangkaraya, a city of about 300,000 residents, are taking extreme measures to protect their children from toxic haze caused by wildfires. Mothers describe sealing their homes with plastic sheeting and limiting activities to bedrooms equipped with air purifiers and nebulisers. One mother, Yusmelita, says her five-month-old son has been sick for most of his life, often vomiting due to persistent coughing.
Local volunteers have established 14 'safe houses' equipped with air purifiers, oxygen tanks, and nebulisers to provide temporary relief for vulnerable populations. These shelters, often located in donated rooms from churches or public buildings, are not a substitute for hospitals, and volunteers sometimes have to send individuals to emergency care. This year has seen close to 2 million hectares of forest and peatland burned, worsening air quality and forcing residents to seek alternative ways to breathe.
Why it matters
The toxic haze threatens the health of children and the elderly, forcing families to take extreme measures to survive in a city under siege from wildfires.
This section reflects Dumpling editorial interpretation and is provided for context only.
What to watch
The effectiveness of local volunteer-run safe houses in reducing health risks during periods of severe air pollution.
This section reflects Dumpling editorial interpretation and is provided for context only.