Manggarai Residents Block NTB Baznas Logistics Vehicle After Not Receiving Aid

A convoy from the West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) Amil Zakat Agency (Baznas) was stopped by around 80 residents while passing through Ladur and Riung villages in Cibal District, Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), on Tuesday (18/8/2026). Dozens of residents claimed they had not been reached by any assistance since a 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck on Saturday (15/8/2026).

Baznas NTB Deputy Chairman Zulkifli said the incident occurred while his team was transporting logistics supplies after shopping for public kitchen needs at a local market. The food supplies were intended to be taken to a public kitchen for disaster response. However, the convoy was forced to stop after being blocked by residents who had not received aid from the local government.

“Around 70-80 people stopped us on the road. There was some tension, we explained the situation, they really needed it and ended up taking all the goods,” Zulkifli told detikBali on Thursday (20/8/2026).

Seeing that the residents were genuinely in need, the Baznas NTB team ultimately decided to hand over all the basic food supplies carried in the vehicle. “Everything was taken, only fuel remained,” Zulkifli said.

Zulkifli explained that many residents in the village had indeed not been reached by aid. After dialogue with local community leaders, Baznas NTB willingly handed over all the logistics supplies.

“The residents politely asked about the aid the team was carrying. They thought our convoy was part of the local government’s assistance,” Zulkifli said.

During the dialogue, residents poured out their grievances about never having received any logistics assistance since the earthquake struck their area. They hoped their area would not be overlooked in disaster response efforts.

“This was actually going to be taken to the public kitchen and would later be distributed to the community. But if you here have not received aid, it is fine for us to unload and give it now. This is indeed for the community,” Zulkifli emphasised before the residents.

The swift and caring response of the Baznas NTB team on the ground immediately turned the atmosphere emotional. Residents who had initially intended to voice their aspirations instead received food assistance directly on the spot.

“We were forced to do this because we are in need. Thank you, Governor of NTB and the NTB Government. We have been looked after by our brothers from NTB,” praised one resident at the location.