Demonstrating community health awareness amidst haze pollution caused by forest and land fires (karhutla), RIMBAPALA (Rimbawan Pecinta Alam) of the Faculty of Forestry, Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU), in collaboration with Relawan Indonesia, conducted a free mask distribution drive on Sunday, October 18, 2026, in Medan.

The activity was carried out as a direct response to the haze engulfing Medan in October 2026. Decreased air quality became a shared concern due to potential respiratory health risks for citizens continuing their outdoor daily routines.

Through this initiative, RIMBAPALA and Relawan Indonesia distributed free face masks to assist the public in protecting themselves from smoke inhalation while reinforcing the importance of respiratory health. The action highlights student leadership in addressing environmental challenges affecting surrounding communities.

For RIMBAPALA, environmental stewardship encompasses not only ecological conservation but also practical community-oriented actions. Forest and land fires extend beyond ecosystem degradation, posing direct threats to human health, safety, and quality of life.

Through this joint action, RIMBAPALA aims to elevate public awareness regarding the far-reaching impacts of forest fires while encouraging collective responsibility toward fire prevention and environmental preservation. Simple community initiatives like mask distribution serve as a reminder that environmental protection and public health are shared obligations.

This initiative directly aligns with SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being) by advancing public health protection awareness, SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 15 (Life on Land) by strengthening community consciousness regarding forest fire impacts and the imperative of ecosystem conservation.