Defence Minister distributes 20 tonnes of logistical aid for earthquake victims in NTT

Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin has distributed 20 tons of logistical aid to earthquake victims in Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT).

The assistance was provided after Sjafrie attended the 81st Independence Day ceremony at the State Palace in Jakarta on Monday (17/8). The aid was transported using an A400M transport aircraft that had also just appeared in the Independence Day parade over Jakarta’s skies.

The 20 tons of logistical aid comprised 25 tent sets, 484 folding beds, 15 Starlink sets, 700 ready-to-eat meal packages, 500 cartons of liquid milk, 10 solar cell sets, 35 field mosquito nets, 101 mattresses, 1,480 blankets, two reverse osmosis (RO) units and 18 packages of medicines.

In addition, there was supplementary aid in the form of instant noodles, baby porridge, baby nappies and sanitary pads.

Upon arriving at the earthquake site, Sjafrie and his staff immediately inspected the location and met with victims there.

Sjafrie also took time to visit Infantry Battalion TP 834/Wakanga Mere in Nagekeo Regency, elements of Brigade Infantry 21/Komodo, and Regional Military Command IX/Udayana.

Addressing soldiers there, Sjafrie asked them to provide maximum assistance to the victims, from the evacuation process through to regional recovery.

He expressed hope that with the arrival of aid from the Ministry of Defence and the support of soldiers on the ground, the post-disaster recovery process in the region could be accelerated.