Marines deploy 217 personnel to assist recovery efforts in NTT

The Indonesian Navy’s Marine Corps has sent 217 personnel to help treat victims and accelerate the recovery process in areas affected by the earthquake in Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT).

The 217 personnel are part of the Natural Disaster Response Task Force (Satgas Gulbencal) from Marine Force (Pasmar) 2 Surabaya.

Head of Marine Corps Information Service, Colonel (Mar.) Rana Karyana, confirmed in Jakarta on Friday that they departed on Wednesday (19/8) from Koarmada II Surabaya Pier aboard KRI dr Soeharso and were expected to arrive in NTT on Friday.

The troops, Rana continued, consist of health personnel, field support, and construction engineers.

“The presence of the Marine Construction Engineer troops is prepared to assist in handling and restoring affected facilities and infrastructure. Meanwhile, health personnel are prepared to provide medical services to the community,” said Rana.

Not only deploying soldiers, he said the Marine Corps also mobilised various equipment to support its personnel working in the field.

“We are sending one dozer unit and one excavator as well as dump trucks, transport trucks, ambulances, operational vehicles, field kitchen equipment and field health equipment, builder tool kits, folding beds, tents, and other supporting equipment,” he revealed.

Rana confirmed that they will remain on site until the situation in the earthquake location is conducive and fully recovered.

With this assistance, Rana hopes the Marine Corps can make a maximum contribution to the recovery process in the NTT region.