NTT Governor thanks NTB and Bali for support to earthquake victims
The presence of NTB and Bali has provided additional strength for the community.
East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) Governor Emanuel Melkiades Laka Lena expressed appreciation and gratitude for the support of NTB Governor Lalu Muhamad Iqbal and Bali Governor I Wayan Koster, who visited in person to inspect conditions and assist communities affected by the earthquake in East Manggarai.
“On behalf of the people and government of NTT, we express our thanks. The support from our brothers and sisters in NTB and Bali means a great deal to communities facing this difficult time,” he said while accompanying NTB Governor Lalu Muhamad Iqbal on a visit to earthquake victims in East Manggarai on Thursday (20/8), according to a written statement received in Mataram on Friday.
The meeting formed part of the solidarity of the Bali-NTB-NTT Regional Cooperation (KR-BNN), which on this occasion was realised through direct presence among residents affected by the earthquake who remain in evacuation sites.
According to him, the presence of NTB and Bali provided additional strength for the community. Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian has even described Bali, NTB and NTT as a concrete and solid example of regional cooperation.
NTB Governor Iqbal and NTT Governor Emanuel Melkiades met communities affected by the earthquake in Satar Padut Village, North Lamba Leda District, East Manggarai, on Thursday (20/8). Before visiting the village, Iqbal, together with the Bali Governor and NTT Governor, inspected the main command post for handling the 7.7 magnitude earthquake at the West Manggarai Regency disaster mitigation agency (BPBD).
NTB Governor Iqbal and Governor Melki had earlier arrived in East Manggarai aboard an Indonesian Army Bell 412 ER HA-5185 helicopter from Komodo Airport in Labuan Bajo.
In Satar Padut Village, North Lamba Leda District, NTB Governor Iqbal said NTB’s experience in dealing with disasters meant the people of NTB understood what the residents of NTT were feeling. For that reason, his visit was not merely about bringing aid, but also about carrying the message that the people of NTT have relatives who share their feelings and are ready to offer strength.
He urged residents to remain resilient in facing this difficult period and not to lose the spirit to recover.
“We come as family. We bring a message from the people of NTB that you are not alone. We are strong. We face this with the spirit to rise again,” he stressed.
The field visit then continued with Iqbal visiting five evacuation points. At each location, he greeted residents, spoke with evacuees, listened to their needs, and handed over aid in the form of logistics, blankets, tarpaulins and packed rice meals. The NTT Governor and NTB Governor also took time to chat with children while distributing bread, milk and chocolate.
The NTB Governor was accompanied by the Head of the Communications and Information Office and spokesperson for the NTB Provincial Government, Ahsanul Khalik, Head of the NTB Disaster Mitigation Agency, Sadimin, Head of the NTB Health Office, Dr Hamzi Fikri, Head of the People’s Welfare Bureau of the NTB Regional Secretariat, Amir, and the NTB KR-BNN Solidarity Team.
During the series of visits, Iqbal also took time to have lunch with the NTB KR-BNN Solidarity Team at the NTB Tagana Field Public Kitchen, which was reinforced by personnel from Bima City and Bima Regency. The inspection of the five evacuation points continued until just before sunset. Afterwards, the NTB Governor returned to the NTB KR-BNN Solidarity Team post in the grounds of SMPN 1 Lamba Leda.