The El Nino induced drought has exacerbated the problem. Indonesia has tried unsucessfully to clear the skies by seeding clouds to produce rain. The worst fires so far have been reported in eastern and southern Sumatra, Kalimantan on Borneo island and in the remote province of Irian Jaya on New Guinea island. Two Indonesians have died after suffering haze-related breathing problems, the People's Welfare Ministry said. More than 32,000 people on Sumatra and Borneo islands have suffered respiratory problems in the two months since the haze became a problem.
Doctors also report numerous eye infections.
Malaysian Health Minister Chua Jui Meng, who is attending a five-day Western Pacific Regional Meeting organised by the World Health Organisation in Sydney this week sought technical help from member countries to measure and analyse the components of the pollutants in the hazy atmosphere which cause illnesses. Chua had talks with Australian Health Minister Dr Michael Wooldridge about requests to send their experts to help Malaysia tackle haze-related diseases affecting the elderly and the young. The United States has made cost-cutting reforms key to it paying its debt to the world body. Instead, reforms should contribute to a strengthened U.N. and its capacity to respond effectively to the priorities identified by the overwhelming majority of its membership. A reduction in U.S. dues is one of the conditions imposed by Congress before it will pay its debt to the United Nations.