Baznas RI sets up public kitchen to aid earthquake victims in NTT

The National Amil Zakat Agency (Baznas) RI has established a public kitchen in the earthquake-affected area at Ponpes Pancasila, Reok District, West Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), to ensure the food needs of displaced residents are met.

Baznas RI Head of Distribution, Utilisation and Empowerment, Idy Muzayyad, said in a statement in Jakarta on Wednesday that meeting basic needs, including food for the community, is one of Baznas’ priorities in handling the earthquake disaster in NTT.

“The public kitchen has begun operating to immediately produce a number of meals with the help of several volunteers and local residents to provide ready-to-eat food for people in evacuation shelters,” said Idy.

Idy said community involvement is expected to accelerate the service process while strengthening coordination in the distribution of aid to evacuees.

The number of meals produced through the public kitchen will continue to be adjusted according to community needs.

“The most important thing is to meet the basic needs of the community. In addition to providing a public kitchen, Baznas is also continuing to deploy various efforts to ensure affected communities receive the assistance they need during the disaster response period,” he said.

Idy said the effort to meet food needs is part of Baznas’ humanitarian response to help communities face the emergency situation following the earthquake. Baznas will continue to strive to be present alongside affected communities throughout the emergency response period.

He assured that Baznas will continue to monitor developments in the condition of affected communities to ensure the assistance provided remains in line with needs on the ground.

“Baznas is deeply concerned about the disaster that occurred in NTT. We know many of our brothers and sisters are affected and in need of assistance. Therefore, Baznas is committed to continuing to be present to help disaster-affected communities until the recovery period,” said Idy Muzayyad.

Separately, the Indonesian Government has affirmed its commitment to accelerating emergency handling and recovery following the 7.7 magnitude earthquake that shook the Flores region.

Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture (Menko PMK) Pratikno stated that the presence of ministers and agency heads in NTT since the first day of the incident is a form of the government’s concern and commitment to accompany affected communities.

“Since the first day of the incident we have been in NTT to inspect the field and discuss accelerating recovery,” said Menko PMK.