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The Singapore Red Cross said Monday that over the coming days it would provide air purifiers and heat-and-haze support packs to 200 seniors aged 70 and above who live alone, The Straits Times reported.

The packs will include hydration supplies and other necessities. Some seniors will also receive three months of assistance with electricity bills to help offset the cost of running the air purifiers.

A further 500 vulnerable residents will receive care packs containing coconut water, isotonic drinks, ready-to-eat food, basic hygiene items and other essentials.

The supplies are intended to help recipients stay hydrated, avoid unnecessary outdoor activities and follow health advisories issued by the National Environment Agency (NEA).

The response comes after Singapore’s 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) entered the unhealthy range on Sept. 4 for the first time since October 2023.

Under Singapore’s air quality standards, a 24-hour PSI reading of 0-50 is considered good, 51-100 moderate, 101-200 unhealthy, 201-300 very unhealthy and above 300 hazardous.

The index crossed 100 in the central region on Sept. 4, before unhealthy readings were also recorded in the west and east the following day, according to Channel NewsAsia. The deterioration was linked to smoke from forest and land fires in southern and central Sumatra and West Kalimantan in Indonesia drifting toward Singapore, the NEA said.

Air quality improved over the weekend, with the 24-hour PSI returning to the moderate range across Singapore on Sunday. As of 3 p.m. Monday, readings ranged from 65 in the north to 88 in the central region, according to NEA data.

How to use Singapore’s 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) forecast and health advisories to plan daily outdoor activities. Infographic by NEA

Despite the improvement, Singapore, ranked the world’s second-richest country by GDP per capita in 2025 by The Economist, remains at risk of further haze as dry conditions are expected to persist in the region. With prevailing winds blowing from the southeast or south, smoke could again affect Singapore if the fires remain active, NEA said.

NEA began issuing daily haze advisories on Sept. 4 after the PSI entered the unhealthy range, providing forecasts to help residents plan their activities.

The Red Cross will also train community befrienders to recognize signs of distress linked to heat and haze. Volunteers and staff assisting people in areas affected by poor air quality will be equipped with N95 masks when necessary.