Indonesia sets up shelters for babies, children affected by wildfire smoke
News Source
β’Sat, 29 Aug 2026 12:45:48 +0000
π° What Happened
Indonesian aid groups have opened two shelters in Palangkaraya on the island of Borneo. The shelters are for babies and children who are being harmed by wildfire smoke. Dozens of fires are burning, and the smoke has turned the air dangerously dirty.
More than five million people across Borneo and Sumatra are exposed to the health risks from the smoke and haze. Young children are the most at risk because their lungs are still growing. The shelters give them cleaner air and a place to rest.
π The Backstory
Indonesia suffers from massive wildfires almost every dry season. Many fires are started on purpose to clear land for farming and palm oil plantations. The smoke often spreads across the region, causing a thick haze that can last for months.
In 2015 and 2019, huge fires sent toxic haze across Southeast Asia and made millions of people sick. The fires also release enormous amounts of carbon, which speeds up climate change. Governments have tried to punish those who start fires, but the blazes keep coming back.
π― Why It Matters
Breathing dirty air harms children's health for life. Wildfires keep happening because clearing land is cheap and easy. Cleaner air laws and stronger fire rules protect kids not only in Indonesia but around the world.
Indonesian aid groups have opened two shelters in Palangkaraya on the island of Borneo. The shelters are for babies and children who are being harmed by wildfire smoke. Dozens of fires are burning, and the smoke has turned the air dangerously dirty.
More than five million people across Borneo and Sumatra are exposed to the health risks from the smoke and haze. Young children are the most at risk because their lungs are still growing. The shelters give them cleaner air and a place to rest.
Indonesia suffers from massive wildfires almost every dry season. Many fires are started on purpose to clear land for farming and palm oil plantations. The smoke often spreads across the region, causing a thick haze that can last for months.
In 2015 and 2019, huge fires sent toxic haze across Southeast Asia and made millions of people sick. The fires also release enormous amounts of carbon, which speeds up climate change. Governments have tried to punish those who start fires, but the blazes keep coming back.
Breathing dirty air harms children's health for life. Wildfires keep happening because clearing land is cheap and easy. Cleaner air laws and stronger fire rules protect kids not only in Indonesia but around the world.