Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Instructs Formation of Task Force to Accelerate Handling of NTT Earthquake Victims
Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Cultural Affairs Pratikno has instructed the formation of a regional task force to accelerate the handling of earthquake victims in East Nusa Tenggara. The reason is that evacuation sites and affected areas are spread across several points in NTT.
“We encourage the regional task force to be formed immediately, because the evacuation sites are in several locations. In addition, we see that the basic needs of the displaced people still have to be met,” Pratikno said in a written statement from BNPB, as quoted from detikNews, Tuesday (18/8/2026).
Pratikno had directly inspected the evacuation site for victims of the M7 Flores earthquake at Barangkolong Education Field, Reok District, Manggarai Regency, NTT, on Monday (17/8). Pratikno was accompanied by the Head of the National Disaster Management Agency, Lieutenant General TNI Suharyanto.
Pratikno and Suharyanto saw firsthand the condition of residents while ensuring that basic needs during their stay in the evacuation camps were met. Both also took time to talk with residents and noted various needs of those affected by the earthquake.
Meanwhile, Suharyanto ensured that evacuation needs such as family tents, multipurpose tents, supporting equipment, logistics, and other supplies would soon be completed. Some of the aid has been sent from the BNPB National Logistics Post in Labuan Bajo by land to Manggarai Regency.
“Tonight we will ensure that more adequate refugee tents can be erected, so that people have better temporary shelter here,” Suharyanto said.
According to Suharyanto, logistical aid and equipment sent from Jakarta have also arrived at Komodo Airport, Labuan Bajo. In terms of food needs, BNPB has coordinated with the Ministry of Social Affairs to support the operation of public kitchens managed by the Disaster Preparedness Cadets.
“We have coordinated with the Ministry of Social Affairs. Later the public kitchen will supply the daily food needs of the displaced people while they are in the evacuation camps,” Suharyanto said.
For health services, BNPB is coordinating with the Ministry of Health to add health workers from various regions. The availability of medicines and medical equipment will also be strengthened so that affected communities can obtain health services according to their respective conditions and needs.
“For the Ministry of Health, medical personnel will be added along with medicines and medical support equipment,” Suharyanto added.
Aftershocks continue to occur in NTT. The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency has recorded 2,119 aftershocks in the region.
“Update on aftershocks of the M7.7 Flores earthquake until 18 August 2026 at 05.00 WIB, total aftershocks 2,119,” said Head of the BMKG Earthquake and Tsunami Centre, Wijayanto, Tuesday (18/8/2026).
Wijayanto said the largest aftershock had a magnitude of 6.2. He said the number of earthquakes with magnitude above 5 was recorded at 24 aftershocks.
Meanwhile, the smallest aftershock had a magnitude of 1.3. “Aftershocks that were felt numbered 70 times,” he continued.
The first earthquake occurred in the Flores region on 15 August at 04.58 WIB with updated parameters of M7.7, resulting in a potential tsunami in the surrounding area. This shallow earthquake was caused by tectonic activity on the Flores Back-Arc Thrust with a thrust fault mechanism.
Several affected areas include northern Manggarai, northern Ngada, Ende, East Flores, and Jeneponto with alert status. East Flores, Bima, Dompu, and Wajo were placed on advisory status. The early tsunami warning was declared over at 07.30 WIB, or 2 hours 31 minutes 37 seconds after the earthquake.