NTT Governor brings aid to three locations affected by M7.7 earthquake in Riung

East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) Governor Emanuel Melkiades Laka Lena personally brought humanitarian aid to three points affected by the M7.7 earthquake in Riung District, Ngada Regency, because he wanted to ensure the basic needs of affected communities are met.

He also wanted to ensure aid distribution runs well and that damage assessment is carried out immediately as a basis for further handling.

“Attention to Riung was briefly interrupted because from the start electricity and signal were also cut off. But we are now in the emergency response phase and we will strive in various ways so that community needs can be met,” said Governor Emanuel Melkiades Laka Lena, often called Melki, in an official statement received in Kupang on Sunday.

The NTT Governor is now temporarily based on Flores Island to directly ensure the condition of the community and that disaster handling in affected areas proceeds as it should.

He received reports that conditions in Riung require direct attention and coordination regarding various obstacles in the early phase of earthquake disaster handling.

To ensure handling, on Saturday (22/8), Governor Melki directly inspected a number of earthquake-affected points while bringing aid in the form of rice and other basic necessities, as well as pillows and blankets for people still staying at evacuation sites.

From Ta’do Village to Bekek and West Lengkosambi, Governor Melki saw first-hand the condition of residents and held discussions with the community and village government regarding needs that still must be addressed.

In Ta’do Village, residents are still being directed to remain in evacuation shelters before conditions are declared safe to return home.

Meanwhile in Bekek, one of the areas that experienced considerable impact, Governor Melki visited the evacuation post established by the police in the yard of St. Peter and Paul Church.

In West Lengkosambi, Governor Melki received reports that some residents chose to evacuate to mountainous areas. Conditions in the area were also exacerbated by the disruption of electricity and communication networks.

Responding to this, the Governor stressed that the government will continue to strive to meet residents’ needs during the emergency response period.

The Governor also asked the district government down to village governments to ensure incoming aid can be distributed properly and accurately to affected communities.

“District to village governments must ensure aid distribution runs well, so that people in need truly receive assistance,” he said.

In addition to meeting needs during the emergency response period, Governor Melki requested that the damage assessment process begin now.

According to him, damage data is still dynamic because seismic activity is still ongoing. However, data collection must still begin so the government has an initial picture of rehabilitation and reconstruction needs.

“From now on it must be recorded, even though the data will still be dynamic because there are still aftershocks. People’s houses must be recorded, including other public facilities and infrastructure such as offices, auxiliary health centres, bridges, and other public facilities,” he said.

The Governor also explained that after the emergency response period ends, handling will enter the repair and recovery phase.

For people’s homes, the government has prepared an assistance scheme based on the level of damage, namely around Rp15 million for light damage, Rp30 million for moderate damage, and Rp70 million for severe damage.

“After the emergency response period, we will enter the repair phase. Therefore, data collection must start now,” he said.

The NTT Provincial Government has from the start continued to coordinate with district and central governments in handling the disaster in Flores.

According to him, the provincial government’s commitment is to ensure central government support can be fully channelled to affected regions and communities.

“With our shared commitment, I assure you my task is to ensure all support from the centre can fully reach the regions,” he said.