Central Java Government Sends First Phase of Aid and Joint Personnel for NTT Earthquake
Central Java Governor Ahmad Luthfi has officially sent off 16 joint personnel and thousands of logistical aid packages for communities affected by the earthquake in East Nusa Tenggara Province. The humanitarian team departed on Monday, 17 August 2026, as a form of inter-regional solidarity in handling a national disaster.
This dispatch is the first phase of assistance from the Central Java Provincial Government. In addition to carrying food and non-food logistics, the team also includes health support to accelerate emergency response in the affected areas.
In his remarks, Ahmad Luthfi emphasised that his administration continues to monitor the situation in NTT intensively. He instructed the team to coordinate immediately with the NTT Provincial Government upon arrival so that aid distribution is precisely targeted.
“We update activities every day so that the aid is truly on target. So, make sure the aid reaches those in need,” said Luthfi.
He also reminded personnel to uphold Central Java’s reputation by providing the best service and prioritising safety during the long inter-island journey.
Bergas Catursasi Penanggungan, Acting Chief Executive of the Central Java Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), explained that the 16 personnel are a combination of officers from Central Java BPBD, Temanggung BPBD, Banjarnegara BPBD, the Social Service, the Health Service, and the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) Central Java. They are divided into three main functions: Urban Search and Rescue, logistics, and health.
To ensure all aid reaches the affected areas, the Central Java Provincial Government deployed 10 vehicles consisting of six logistics trucks, two double cabin vehicles, and two motorcycles. The convoy will travel by land and sea along the route Semarang – Tanjung Perak – Lembar – Kayangan – Poto Tano – Sape – Labuan Bajo – Nagekeo – Ende.
Ende Regency will serve as the main field post. From that point, volunteers will assist in distributing logistics to other areas such as Manggarai, East Manggarai, and Sikka Regencies.
Luthfi confirmed that Central Java’s support will not stop at this first phase. He has instructed the Regional Secretary and Deputy Governor to coordinate with regents and mayors across Central Java to prepare a second phase of assistance.
“This is only phase one because conditions there are still very fluid. We are planning phase two together with other district and city governments,” he added, while expressing deep condolences for the victims who lost family members.
This mission received full support from various parties, ranging from regional apparatus organisations within the Central Java Provincial Government, Baznas, the Central Java Regional Scout Council, to the private sector such as the Telogorejo Foundation and Phapros.
One Tagana volunteer, Agus Budianto, expressed the team’s readiness to work to the fullest.
“To our brothers and sisters in NTT, you are not alone. We are ready to lend a hand to help the recovery process there,” he concluded.