10/28/2015, 00.00
INDONESIA
Send to a friend

Indonesia compensates haze emergency victims, begins evacuation

The government plans to pay victims’ families 15 million rupiahs (US$ 1,100) in compensation. So far, 19 haze-related deaths have been confirmed. At least 425,700 people have had respiratory problems. Transport Ministry is deploying 16 ships to evacuate the most affected islands.

Jakarta (AsiaNews) – Indonesia’s Social Affairs Minister Indar Parawansa announced that the government would compensate the families of those who died from the haze that has endangered public health and chocked parts of the country in recent weeks.

Those entitled will receive death benefits in the form of a cash transfer of 15 million rupees (about US$ 1,100) upon presentation of a medical certificate indicating that the victim died from respiratory problems associated with smog or other air pollution-related diseases.

So far, Indonesian authorities have recognised 19 victims from the haze crisis in Sumatra and Kalimantan, the hardest hit areas. According to Minister Indar Parawansa, four families have already been compensated.

For weeks, the haze caused by man-made fires has upset the life of ordinary people in various parts of the country. Transportation has been disrupted and schools have been closed. In some provinces, the pollution level is ten times the acceptable limit.

According to Indonesia’s Health Ministry, at least 425,700 people have suffered respiratory problems because of the smoke.

A few days ago, the authorities launched the country’s biggest operation to combat fires with few tangible results so far.

For its part, the Transport Ministry is deploying 16 civilian ships in the rescue operation. Ministry spokesman J.A. Barata said that the government has at its disposal seven KPLP* ships (each with room for 159 people), seven ferries (100 people) and two PELNI** ships (1,000 people). KPLP ships are already in port in Dumai (Sumatra) and the Strait of Singapore.

"Crews, fuel, medical supplies and staff are ready,” Barata added. Evacuees will “be receive medical care first. Later they will be moved within the island, eventually to other, safer islands. Local authorities will be in charge of ordering the evacuation.” Passenger terminals, warehouses, and harbour facilities will be used to shelter refugees.

* KPLP: Kesatuan Penjagaan Laut Dan Pantai is Indonesia’s Coast Guard

** PELNI: Pelayaran Nasional Indonesia is the national shipping company of Indonesia.

TAGs
Send to a friend
Printable version
CLOSE X
See also
Haze emergency pushes Jakarta to prepare mass evacuations
24/10/2015
Government punishes companies responsible for forest fires
22/12/2015
Widodo slams local authorities for their handling of fire emergency
17/09/2019 15:01
US researchers report 100,000 haze-related deaths due to fires in Indonesia
21/09/2016 14:49
As Indonesia breathes again, ASEAN prepares an anti-fire plan
03/11/2015


Newsletter

Subscribe to Asia News updates or change your preferences

Subscribe now
“L’Asia: ecco il nostro comune compito per il terzo millennio!” - Giovanni Paolo II, da “Alzatevi, andiamo”