Basarnas intensifies logistics distribution by air on H+9 after earthquake
The National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) and its partners continue to intensify post-disaster handling in East Nusa Tenggara, including by accelerating the distribution of relief logistics via air using the Dauphin AS 365 N3+ HR-3604 helicopter.
“Today at 08.00 Wita, the Dauphin helicopter distributed aid packages from the Indonesian Air Force to the helipad in Ronting, Satar Kampas Village, North Lamba Leda District, East Manggarai Regency,” said Basarnas Director of Operations First Admiral Yudhi Bramantyo in Jakarta on Sunday.
The aid was received by Basarnas personnel together with SAR Potential members for further distribution to communities affected by the earthquake.
Yudhi said Basarnas has distributed relief logistics from the Presidency as well as aid from the Labuan Bajo Phinisi Ship Association Graha Wisri to meet the needs of affected communities in areas that are difficult to reach by land.
In addition to supporting aid distribution, the Basarnas Dauphin helicopter departing from Komodo Airport, Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai Regency, also transported personnel to reinforce and rotate teams serving in the SAR Operation in East Manggarai and surrounding areas.
Basarnas together with all SAR Potential elements continues to ensure operational support and humanitarian aid can reach affected communities, especially in areas where access remains limited due to the earthquake’s impact.
The 7.7-magnitude earthquake shook the East Nusa Tenggara region in the early hours of Saturday (15/8). The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) issued a tsunami early warning which ended at 07.30 WIB.
Previously, President Prabowo said the government is striving to provide the best handling for East Nusa Tenggara communities affected by the earthquake by deploying relevant ranks to manage conditions on the ground.
“We want to ensure our brothers and sisters there receive fast and maximum emergency handling,” said Prabowo via his personal Instagram account @prabowo, monitored in Jakarta on Sunday (16/8).
The President also instructed cross-sector cooperation to ensure post-earthquake handling proceeds quickly and on target, and asked relevant ranks to see conditions at the disaster site directly.
The President expressed sympathy and prayers for affected communities and stressed that safety and fulfilment of basic needs are the government’s priority in emergency conditions.
“The safety and basic needs of residents are the most important thing at this time,” he said.
As of Saturday (22/8), the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) recorded that the number of residents displaced by the earthquake in parts of East Nusa Tenggara reached 150,576 people.