Singapore ready to help Indonesia in fight against forest fires amid worsening haze: Grace Fu

Singapore is ready to assist Indonesia amid worsening haze conditions in the region.

Speaking to the media on Saturday (Oct 10), Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu revealed that she has been in contact with her Indonesian counterpart and has offered support in managing forest fires, which have been made increasingly difficult to put out due to dry weather brought on by El Nino.

"We are aware that efforts are going on. We stand ready to assist where we can."

The minister also expressed appreciation for Indonesia's efforts to contain the fires, adding that Singapore supports any further regional discussions and co-operation on the transboundary haze.

Meanwhile, the haze in Singapore has worsened over the past week, with Fu attributing the deterioration to an increase in hotspots in Sumatra and Kalimantan, as well as unfavourable wind conditions.

While some rain is expected over the weekend, she warned that the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) could still exceed 200, entering the very unhealthy range.

'We are very concerned about public health," said Fu, highlighting vulnerable groups such as seniors, young children, pregnant women and those with heart or lung conditions.

However, the minister assured Singaporeans that the government is closely monitoring the situation, with the Haze Task Force meeting regularly to prepare for any further deterioration.

Among the measures in place is the distribution of N95 masks to eligible Singaporeans when the 24-hour PSI exceeds 200.

They can be collected at vending machines or community clubs when necessary.

Those eligible include Singaporeans from the Pioneer Generation, Merdeka Generation, holders of the Community Health Assistance Scheme (CHAS) Blue and Orange cards, medical fee exemption card, as well as recipients of ComCare Assistance.

Pregnant women and children between ages seven and 16, and those with medical conditions such as asthma, may also collect their masks at People's Association venues.

Air-conditioned areas in Community Clubs (CC) and selected Residents' Committee and Residents' Network centres will also be activated as haze shelters.

These would provide relief for residents without air-conditioning at home, allowing them to seek shelter in air-conditioned areas with air purifiers.

Reiterating the government's commitment to protecting Singaporeans, Fu said contingency plans have been drawn up for different PSI levels.

Sector-specific guidance is also available for schools, including preschools, workplaces and healthcare institutions, with measures adjusted according to the severity of the haze.

Preschools, for instance, will suspend outdoor activities and strenuous indoor activities if air quality reaches the very unhealthy range, according to a joint statement by the National Environment Agency and 28 government agencies on Friday.

"We are on top of the situation. We have plans put in place, and we'll do whatever is needed to protect the public health of Singaporeans," said Fu.

carol.ong@asiaone.com

新加坡已做好准备，向印尼提供援助，以应对该地区日益严重的雾霾状况。

10 月 10 日星期六，可持续发展与环境部长傅海燕在接受媒体采访时透露，她已与印尼同行取得联系，并表示愿意在应对森林火灾方面提供支持。由于厄尔尼诺现象带来的干旱天气，森林火灾越来越难以扑灭。

“我们知道各方正在进行努力。我们随时准备在力所能及的范围内提供帮助。”

部长还对印尼为控制火势所做的努力表示赞赏，并补充说，新加坡支持就跨境烟霾问题进行任何进一步的区域讨论与合作。

与此同时，新加坡的雾霾在过去一周有所恶化，傅先生将雾霾恶化归因于苏门答腊岛和加里曼丹岛热点地区的增加以及不利的风况。

她警告说，虽然周末可能会有一些降雨，但 24 小时污染物标准指数 (PSI) 仍可能超过 200，进入非常不健康的范围。

“我们非常关注公众健康，”傅先生说，他特别强调了老年人、幼儿、孕妇以及患有心脏或肺部疾病的人等弱势群体。

然而，部长向新加坡民众保证，政府正在密切关注局势，雾霾工作组定期召开会议，为任何进一步恶化的情况做好准备。

已采取的措施之一是，当 24 小时 PSI 超过 200 时，向符合条件的新加坡人分发 N95 口罩。

必要时可在自动售货机或社区俱乐部领取。

符合资格的人士包括新加坡建国一代、独立一代的公民，持有社区健康援助计划（CHAS）蓝卡和橙卡的人士，医疗费用豁免卡的人士，以及社区关怀援助计划（ComCare Assistance）的受益人。

孕妇、7至16岁儿童以及患有哮喘等疾病的人也可以在人民协会的场所领取口罩。

社区俱乐部 (CC) 和部分居民委员会及居民网络中心的空调区域也将启用为雾霾避难所。

这将为家中没有空调的居民提供帮助，使他们能够到有空调和空气净化器的场所避难。

傅女士重申政府致力于保护新加坡人，并表示已针对不同的PSI级别制定了应急计划。

针对学校（包括幼儿园）、工作场所和医疗机构也提供了特定行业的指导，并根据雾霾的严重程度调整了相关措施。

例如，根据国家环境局和 28 个政府机构周五发表的联合声明，如果空气质量达到非常不健康的程度，幼儿园将暂停户外活动和剧烈的室内活动。

傅海燕说：“我们完全掌控着局势。我们已经制定了计划，并将采取一切必要措施来保护新加坡人民的公共健康。”

carol.ong@asiaone.com