Gov’t Boosts Efforts to Prevent Forest, Land Fires

BNPB Head Doni Monardo delivers his statement after a limited meeting, Tuesday (23/6). (Photo by: PR/Rahmat)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has ordered Head of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) Doni Monardo to step up efforts to tackle forest and land fires.

Doni on Tuesday (23/6) also told reporters that the Government continues to emphasize the importance of cooperation from related stakeholdwers in all areas affected by forest and land fires, especially in the peatland areas.

The BNPB Head also stressed that peatland fires will cause very heavy smoke which can pose a health threat to the communities, especially those who suffer from asthma or upper respiratory tract infections (URIs).

“The impact can be dangerous for those who suffer from asthma and aren then exposed to COVID-19. So specifically for the regions, but not only for the regions, all regions are expected to prevent the smoke as much as possible,” Doni said, while urging the public to cooperate in the fire prevention efforts, especially amid COVID-19 pandemic. (FID/EN)

Translated by: Fairuzzamani Inayatillah
Reviewed by: M. Ersan Pamungkas