Home Affairs Minister Says Priority Plan Prepared for Post-Earthquake Handling in NTT
Home Affairs Minister Muhammad Tito Karnavian stated that he has prepared a priority plan for handling victims of the earthquake disaster in East Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).
This was conveyed after conducting an inspection and dialogue with residents in Satar Kampas Village, North Lamba Leda District. He explained that the handling would begin with accelerating the restoration of the electricity network and the distribution of logistics, particularly basic necessities to meet the needs of residents.
“So the priority is electricity, then food. They are really asking for food logistics,” said Tito on Monday (17/8/2026).
The Home Affairs Minister added that he would communicate with the President Director of the State Electricity Company (PLN) to make the restoration of the electricity network in East Manggarai a priority.
This is because the power plants and substations did not sustain damage. The electricity disruptions were mostly caused by poles that collapsed due to the earthquake tremors.
“No power plants were damaged. The problem is that some poles collapsed, the network from the substation to homes. That is the problem,” said Tito.
He expressed hope that the return of electricity would support the restoration of the telecommunications network so that residents could reconnect with their families outside the area.
“If the electricity is off, inevitably the mobile phone signal will also be off. So, those are perhaps the priority things we are working on,” he said.
In addition to electricity and logistics, the Home Affairs Minister confirmed that he would coordinate with Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin to provide medical personnel support at the disaster-affected locations. The aim, among others, is to strengthen the resident posts and the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) in North Lamba Leda District, which is one of the areas worst affected by the earthquake.
“I will immediately call the Health Minister to send his personnel, including medicines and his medical volunteers,” said Tito.
On the same occasion, the Home Affairs Minister also expressed appreciation for the Indonesian Navy, which will deploy the hospital ship KRI dr. Soeharso to the waters off East Manggarai.
“If possible, we should also encourage the Navy hospital ship, the large one, (KRI) Soeharso, to go to the Reo area. That would be very helpful,” concluded Tito.
The Home Affairs Minister also took the time to inspect Satar Kampas Village after leading the 81st Indonesian Independence Day ceremony at Natas Lehong Field, East Manggarai Regency. Tito arrived at the location together with the Head of the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) Mohammad Syafii, and East Manggarai Regent Agas Andreas.