NTT Earthquake: DPD Deputy Speaker Yorrys Calls for Accelerated Evacuation and Aid

Deputy Speaker of the Regional Representative Council (DPD) Yorrys Raweyai has expressed deep condolences over the 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT). The earthquake, with its epicentre in Nagekeo Regency in the early hours of Saturday (15/8/2026), has resulted in fatalities. According to the latest report from the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), the natural disaster claimed 38 lives and left dozens injured. Thousands of people have also been forced to evacuate to avoid the risk of further impacts. This emergency situation is deemed to require immediate attention and handling from the government. Yorrys urged all parties, from central to regional levels, to coordinate optimally. This aims to ensure that all victims and affected communities receive swift and targeted assistance. ‘As a leader of the DPD, I express my deepest condolences over the earthquake disaster that struck the NTT region,’ said Yorrys in a written statement on Saturday (15/8/2026). The government is urged to immediately ensure the fulfilment of basic needs for communities at evacuation sites. Essential services such as food availability, clean water, and adequate shelter must be prioritised. Special protection must also be provided for vulnerable groups such as children, women, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. ‘The government must ensure that every victim receives assistance. Communities in affected areas must not struggle to obtain basic needs or health services,’ he stressed. Beyond physical aid, Yorrys considers the accuracy of information in the post-earthquake situation to be crucial. Affected communities are expected to continue coordinating with official institutions such as BMKG, BNPB, and local governments. This step is important to prevent panic and curb the circulation of misleading information on the ground. Handling a disaster of this massive scale absolutely requires integrated cross-agency collaboration. Members of the TNI, Polri, health workers, and volunteers must move in harmony to accelerate the evacuation and search process. Victim data collection must also be carried out accurately as a basis for determining aid distribution measures. ‘The most important thing at this time is public safety. Every development must be monitored and reported regularly so that decisions taken by the government truly correspond to needs on the ground,’ he said. The DPD has assured that it will continue to monitor the situation directly through regional representative offices and members from the NTT electoral district. Yorrys stressed that disaster handling must not stop once the emergency situation ends. Affected communities must receive a guarantee of state presence until the rehabilitation and reconstruction phases are complete. ‘In situations like this, solidarity and mutual cooperation from all Indonesians are greatly needed. Let us together help our brothers and sisters in NTT and provide support so that they can quickly recover from this disaster,’ Yorrys concluded.