Government Sends 27 Tonnes of Logistics Aid Following NTT Earthquake

The government is moving swiftly to accelerate post-earthquake handling in several regions of East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). As of Saturday evening (15/8), a total of 27 tonnes of logistics aid had been successfully distributed to disaster-affected locations.

Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya confirmed that all aid was sent through several flight rotations using Hercules aircraft belonging to the Indonesian Air Force.

“This is the final flight rotation on Saturday. A total of 27 tonnes of logistics have been sent to NTT through various Hercules flight rotations on the same day,” Teddy said in a written statement on Sunday (16/8).

Teddy explained that the disaster response is not solely focused on logistics distribution, but also on strengthening cross-sector coordination. President Prabowo Subianto has issued firm instructions for all relevant elements to work in an integrated manner to ensure the recovery process proceeds quickly and on target.

As a concrete step, the President ordered ministers and heads of high-level institutions to directly inspect conditions on the ground from the first day of the incident. Officials deployed include the Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture, the Minister of Home Affairs, the Minister of Public Works, the Head of BNPB, and the Head of Basarnas.

In addition, technical support from the energy and communications sectors has been reinforced by involving elements from PLN, Pertamina, and Telkom to restore vital infrastructure in affected areas.

In evacuation and recovery efforts, the government has also mobilised thousands of security personnel. More than 3,500 TNI soldiers and Polri members have been deployed to various points in Flores, including Manggarai and Maumere.

This rapid response is expected to minimise the social and economic impact on the people of NTT, while ensuring the state’s presence is felt optimally amid the emergency situation.