NTT Earthquake Response Declared Emergency Status for 14 Days
The Provincial Government of East Nusa Tenggara (Pemprov NTT) has declared a Disaster Emergency Response Status in relation to the earthquake that struck the province. The status is effective for 14 days, from 15 to 28 August 2026.
The declaration is set out in East Nusa Tenggara Governor’s Decree Number 305/KEP/HK/2026 concerning the Earthquake Disaster Emergency Response Status in East Nusa Tenggara Province, issued in Kupang on 15 August 2026.
“The declaration of emergency response status is intended to accelerate the handling of the disaster’s impact, while also facilitating access, coordination, and communication among parties in mobilising all available resources,” said NTT Governor Melki Laka Lena in a statement in Kupang on Sunday, 16 August 2026.
The decision was taken following a magnitude 7.7 earthquake that occurred in the Flores region on 15 August 2026 at a depth of 15 kilometres, located approximately 30 kilometres northeast of Mbay, Nagekeo Regency.
The natural disaster has caused fatalities, injuries, damage to residential areas, infrastructure, facilities and public amenities, and has disrupted the lives and activities of communities in several areas.
Melki explained that through this emergency response status, the NTT Provincial Government, together with district and city governments, the central government, the Indonesian National Armed Forces and National Police, relevant institutions, the business community, and the public, can strengthen rapid, precise, integrated, and coordinated response measures.
“Public safety and the fulfilment of basic needs of affected residents are the top priorities during this emergency response period,” he said.
He stressed that all available resources will be directed towards supporting search and evacuation efforts for victims, health services, fulfilment of basic community needs, provision of evacuation shelters, restoration of transport access and infrastructure, as well as handling various other impacts caused by the disaster.
In the decree, the NTT Provincial Government also confirmed financial support for the emergency response. All costs arising from the declaration of emergency response status will be charged to the NTT Provincial Budget (APBD) as well as other legitimate and non-binding sources.
The declaration of emergency response status also serves as the basis for the government and all stakeholders to work together in accelerating disaster response and minimising its impact on the community.