Flores Earthquake: Elderly Evacuated from Makeshift Tents to Health Posts
The joint SAR team continues to strengthen its handling of residents affected by the earthquake in East Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara. One of the main focuses of the operation is ensuring that vulnerable groups, especially the elderly, receive adequate protection and health services.
On Thursday (20/8), an elderly person was evacuated from a residents’ makeshift tent in Ronting, East Manggarai Regency. The elderly individual was then taken to a health post to receive examination and condition monitoring by medical personnel.
The evacuation process was carried out after the field team monitored the condition of residents who were still staying in makeshift tents. The presence of the elderly was a concern because post-earthquake conditions were still marked by aftershocks and a situation that had not fully recovered.
From the makeshift tent, officers took the elderly person to a health service location. The transfer was carried out so that the resident would be in a safer place and could more easily receive assistance if their health condition required further treatment.
This evacuation is part of the emergency response operation carried out by the joint SAR team in a number of areas affected by the NTT earthquake. In addition to carrying out medical evacuations, SAR personnel also continue to conduct sweeps to determine the condition of residents who are still in affected locations.
The SAR operation currently covers a number of areas in Flores, including East Manggarai Regency, Manggarai Regency, Ngada Regency, and Nagekeo Regency. Officers are also coordinating with BPBD, local governments, and Ministry of Health health posts.
Basarnas Operations Director, First Admiral TNI Yudhi Bramantyo, said that all SAR elements remain on standby to respond to every report from the public.
“We continue to focus the SAR operation on sweeping affected areas, collecting data and monitoring the condition of the community together with BPBD and local governments, while ensuring readiness for medical evacuation for residents in need,” said Yudhi.
In addition to the elderly, the joint team is also paying attention to other vulnerable groups. A pregnant woman was previously evacuated to the Ministry of Health Health Post in Damer, Satar Padut Village, North Lamba Leda District, East Manggarai Regency, to receive medical treatment.
The SAR team together with health workers continue to monitor the condition of residents who choose to remain in makeshift tents. Monitoring is carried out to identify residents who need health checks, medical evacuation, or relocation to safer locations.
Amid post-earthquake conditions and the potential for aftershocks, the evacuation of vulnerable groups is an important part of the emergency response operation. The joint team ensures that residents in need of assistance can be evacuated immediately and receive services according to their respective conditions.