APRIL Group and community united in haze challenge

A doctor checks on a child in one of the healthcare and medical posts set up by RAPP for the Kuansing community. (Source: GoRiau)

APRIL Group and its Indonesia operations PT Riau Andalan Pulp and Paper (RAPP) have been in the local news in recent weeks for various haze relief efforts for the benefit of many communities. These run in parallel with its resolute and comprehensive fire management efforts – from monitoring and suppression, to strong fire prevention advocacy.

United team to overcome challenges

RAPP has built a united and purpose-driven community of employees who have, over the years, risen to countless challenges faced by communities within and surrounding its operation areas. These include an employee-initiated donation drive to help support a family whose toddler daughter required surgery for a hole in the heart, employees who regularly support blood donation drives and many other programmes that target various facets of community life (infrastructure, education, skills, etc.) for the overall benefit of the community.

Confronting fires and haze

APRIL’s roving medical team with Acting Head of Health, Kampar, Dr Aris. (Source: GoRiau)

The RAPP community faced greater adversity in recent forest fires and the resultant haze. While the company’s dedicated fire management team works hard at monitoring, fire suppression, and concurrently reinforcing APRIL’s campaign on fire prevention, others in RAPP have rallied to distribute free masks, as well as provide free health and medical services and assistance through the deployment of roving medical teams and the set-up of medical posts.

Given RAPP’s long tradition of continuous emphasis on meaningful multi-stakeholder engagement and partnerships, it is no surprise that many of these relief efforts are conducted in collaboration with local government, enforcement agencies, volunteers and the communities.

As a company, APRIL has a strict zero tolerance towards burning of forests and its supply partners are all expected comply with its no-burn practices. Fires are a major threat not only to APRIL’s plantations and business, but also to communities and the environment.

The APRIL fire suppression team returns from a mission.

For Community, Country and Company

As part of the group of companies managed by RGE, the recent news display how our entrenched values of doing what is good for the community, country and company are manifested in haze-related initiatives and relief support – efforts that are carried out decisively and with conviction. We value our communities as integral partners in our operations.

RAPP collaborates with the local police to set up healthcare and medical posts to provide free medical care for the community in Siak, Riau. (Source: Riauterkini)

Residents visited PT RAPP Health Care Post in Baserah to have medical treatment due to smog. (Source: Metro Riau)