Earthquake Victims Can Collect Basic Supplies and Blankets from Kiosks, Paid by NTT Provincial Government
The Provincial Government of East Nusa Tenggara (Pemprov NTT) has implemented a special scheme to meet the basic needs of residents affected by the Flores earthquake. Residents are permitted to collect food, drinks, tents, and blankets from nearby kiosks or shops, with payment to be borne by the government.
The policy is set out in NTT Governor Circular Number BU.300.2.1/04/BPBD/2026. The scheme is applied during the emergency response period to ensure residents’ basic needs remain met even though logistical aid has not yet arrived.
The policy has begun to be felt by residents of RT 12/RW 03, Faobata Urban Village, Bajawa District, Ngada Regency, whose homes were damaged by the magnitude 7.7 earthquake on 15 August 2026.
NTT Governor Emanuel Melkiades Laka Lena said the policy is a temporary solution to meet the needs of affected residents.
“During the emergency response period, no member of the public should go hungry or lack basic necessities because they are waiting for aid to arrive,” said Laka Lena in a press release received by detikBali on Monday (24/8/2026).
According to Laka Lena, with this scheme, residents can immediately meet their needs from kiosks around the evacuation sites.
“Later, the kiosks will submit claims to the government for payment,” he added.
One affected resident, Maria Goreti Diwi, appreciated the policy. Maria is now living in an emergency tent after her home was affected by the earthquake.
“I would like to thank the Governor for helping us, the victims of the earthquake disaster, by allowing us to collect basic necessities, tents, and blankets,” said Maria.
She said residents of RT 12/RW 03, Faobata Urban Village, can meet basic needs such as groceries and other necessities through designated kiosks.
Meanwhile, Sutini, the owner of UD Mandiri Faobata kiosk, said she fully supports the policy. According to her, this approach speeds up residents’ access to necessities in the post-earthquake emergency conditions.
“As a kiosk owner, we certainly support the policy of the NTT Governor. With this policy, the public can quickly obtain assistance according to their needs; the goods taken by the public will later be processed according to the existing mechanism,” explained Sutini.
The NTT Provincial Government is implementing the scheme by utilising kiosks and shops around the affected areas as part of distributing residents’ needs.
This step is taken so that the public can continue to meet their basic needs while waiting for the distribution of logistical aid.