Government Prepares 8 Steps to Accelerate NTT Recovery After M 7.7 Earthquake
The government has prepared eight strategic steps to accelerate the handling and recovery of East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) after a magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck Flores Island on Saturday, 15 August 2026. Head of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) Lieutenant General TNI Suharyanto said all these steps need to be implemented immediately to speed up the evacuation process, meet the needs of displaced people, distribute logistics, and begin early recovery of affected areas. “In order to accelerate evacuation, fulfilment of logistics, and early recovery of affected areas,” said Suharyanto while leading a coordination meeting with ministries, agencies and regional governments at the West Manggarai Regent’s Office, NTT, Sunday (16/8/2026).
- Establish Emergency Status in Affected Areas
The first step is to encourage regional governments in six severely affected regencies, namely Manggarai, East Manggarai, Ngada, Ende, Nagekeo, and Sikka, as well as the NTT Provincial Government, to immediately declare emergency status. According to Suharyanto, certainty of this status is important as a basis for BNPB, the Ministry of Public Works, and related agencies to provide maximum budget support and technical assistance. “Please issue the emergency status today,” he stressed.
- Accelerate Establishment of Regional Posts
The government is also requesting the acceleration of the establishment of Task Force Posts or Command Posts at the regency/city to provincial level. TNI and Polri elements can be involved as field commanders to ensure handling is under one coordination. “The Regent may appoint TNI and Polri Unit Commanders as field commanders,” said Suharyanto. The posts will manage team movements, arrangement of displaced people, and distribution of aid so that handling in the regions runs in an integrated manner.
- Main Posts in Labuan Bajo and Maumere
The third step is the establishment of a National Assistance Main Post in Labuan Bajo and a Tactical Post in Maumere. These two points are prepared to accelerate handling of the western and eastern Flores regions. The Maumere Post will serve handling needs in Sikka, Nagekeo, and Ngada. “We are establishing a National Provincial Assistance Post, the first centre of which is here in Labuan Bajo. Then because of the large area, we are also opening a Post in Maumere,” said Suharyanto.
- Consolidation of Aid at Halim Perdanakusuma
To ensure aid from outside the region can be distributed in a coordinated manner, BNPB is opening a National Logistics Post at Halim Perdanakusuma, Jakarta.