Flores Earthquake: STM Sends Logistics Aid Worth Rp 270 Million
PT Sumbawa Timur Mining (STM), the operator of the Hu’u copper exploration project in Dompu Regency, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), has distributed logistics aid worth more than Rp 270 million to communities affected by the earthquake on Flores Island, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). The aid was distributed as part of the ESDM Siaga Bencana movement to support emergency response and recovery efforts for disaster-affected communities. The assistance includes clothing, food, and shelter supplies.
The ESDM Siaga Bencana movement is a collective action by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) together with various mining companies in Indonesia to support disaster management. Through this movement, contributions from various parties are expected to strengthen the response to the needs of communities in affected areas.
Previously, on Saturday (15/8), a tectonic earthquake with a magnitude of 7.7 shook several areas on Flores Island. According to the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), as of Sunday (23/8), the major earthquake and thousands of aftershocks had caused 91 fatalities and forced 161,000 people to flee their homes.
As a form of solidarity and support for disaster management, STM dispatched two trucks from Mataram City, NTB, carrying various types of aid for evacuation sites. The aid included adult and children’s clothing, baby diapers, milk, canned food, medicines, tarpaulins, and mattresses. The aid was collected at the AJU-I Labuan Bajo Post in West Manggarai Regency.
BNPB Expert Staff and Commander of the AJU-I Labuan Bajo Post, Major General TNI Mochammad Luthfie Beta, received the STM logistics aid directly for the earthquake victims. According to him, the aid was in line with the needs of communities on the ground. He immediately coordinated with the BNPB team to arrange the technical distribution of the aid.
“What PT Sumbawa Timur Mining has prepared is in line with what the community needs. I have also prepared a list and information from the local government on what the urgent needs are. Clearly food, then tents so residents can rest without worry, then (also used for) public kitchens, and patient care,” said Luthfie on Sunday (23/8), after the handover of aid with STM.
He also stated that the logistics aid from STM would be distributed to Manggarai Regency, West Manggarai Regency, East Manggarai Regency, and Ngada Regency.
“So there are four regencies. Each person in charge will determine and seek information on where the distribution points might be. Or for areas that cannot be reached by land, we will reach them by air,” he said.
Head of Communications at STM, Cindy Elza, said the distribution of aid was one form of STM’s solidarity as part of the community in the Nusa Tenggara region.