Forest fires in Indonesia are causing severe haze conditions in Sumatra, Kalimantan, and Papua. El Nino forecasts suggest that these conditions may continue until the end of December. Yayasan Auriga's partners in these areas have indicated that there is little to no availability of N95 masks that fit children. Young lungs are the most susceptible to the harmful impacts of the particulates in the haze. Effectiveness of the N95 masks (the 95 refers to the percentage of the particulates the mask filters out) depends on proper fit, so adult masks do not offer kids full protection.

N95 masks for children, it turns out, are hard to find. But a company in Singapore called Innosparks earlier this year introduced an N95 mask appropriate for children, and specifically designed for the facial contours of Asian children. http://www.airplus.sg/products.html#Smart-Mask

http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/new-n95-mask-to-provide-better-fit-and-comfort-for-asians-especially-children

We have been in touch with Innosparks, and they have kindly offered a bulk rate of around US$ 0.75 per mask (Rp. 10,000 or SG$ 1), inclusive of tax.

Yayasan Auriga local partners in Riau (Jikalahari), Jambi (Walhi Jambi), South Sumatra (Walhi Sumsel), and Central Kalimantan (Gerakan Anti Asap) are ready to distribute these masks. Depending on the amount of contributions received, Yayasan Auriga partners in West Kalimantan and Papua will also receive and distribute masks.

Even as the government prepares evacuation plans in some of these areas, these masks will still be necessary to protect kids in transit and those who are not evacuated.

An initial distribution of around 20,000 of these masks will be underway by early next week (October 27 or 28).

The full amount of donations received on Indiegogo will be used to purchase the masks and transport them from Singapore to the local areas. Donations from other sources will be used to help with distribution costs and to buy other equipment and medicines.

Questions regarding the details of the mask purchases and distribution plans can be directed at Grahat Nagara (grahat@auriga.or.id), Brian Orland (brianorland@gmail.com), and Timer Manurung (timer@auriga.or.id).

Yayasan Auriga is a Jakarta-based NGO that works on environmental issues across Indonesia. https://auriga.or.id

Source : www.indiegogo.com