Government Confirms NTT Earthquake Impact Can Still Be Handled Domestically

The government has stated it is still able to handle the impact of the magnitude 7 earthquake that struck East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), and has therefore not yet opened the option of assistance from other countries. This was conveyed by State Secretary Minister (Mensesneg) Prasetyo Hadi.

“Not yet (opening assistance from other countries),” said Prasetyo at Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Monday (17/8), as reported by Detik.

Prasetyo added that the government remains optimistic it can overcome the earthquake’s impact based on periodic reports from the field.

A number of urgent needs, ranging from relief logistics, temporary shelters (huntara), to permanent housing (huntap), are said to already be in the process of being handled.

“We will see later, because based on the daily reports we receive from colleagues monitoring the field, everything can still be handled well,” said Prasetyo.

He said a number of logistical needs, evacuation, and plans for repairing temporary and permanent shelters are already in the identification process.

Previously, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) reported that no residents remain missing due to the M7 earthquake in NTT. This was conveyed by Acting Head of the BNPB Disaster Data, Information, and Communication Centre, Berton SP Panjaitan.

“The Basarnas team remains on standby in seven affected districts. As of today, 17 August, there are no longer reports of missing residents in the affected areas. However, the Basarnas team continues search efforts and has deployed personnel optimally in the affected areas,” said Berton during a press conference on Monday (17/8).

Berton also mentioned that the Ministry of Health has sent two field hospitals to Ruteng, Manggarai Regency, and Nagekeo Regency.

“It is hoped that these hospitals can immediately serve residents who are victims of the earthquake and require evacuation,” said Berton.

Based on the latest data from BNPB, the death toll from the M7 earthquake in NTT has reached 68 people. Berton said his agency continues to monitor this figure and will report updates if other victims are found.