On 81st Independence Day, Trade Ministry Distributes Rp250 Million for NTT Earthquake Victims

The Ministry of Trade handed over Kemendag Peduli assistance worth Rp250 million for communities affected by the earthquake in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), during the commemoration of the 81st Anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Indonesia at the Ministry of Trade Office, Jakarta, Monday, 17 August 2026.

The assistance was handed over symbolically by Minister of Trade Budi Santoso to the Head of the NTT Provincial Liaison Agency, Florida Taty Satyawati, to be distributed to communities affected by the earthquake.

Budi said that the handover of Kemendag Peduli assistance was a form of care and solidarity from the extended family of the Ministry of Trade towards the people of NTT who are facing a disaster. According to him, the independence commemoration was an opportunity to strengthen care and the spirit of mutual cooperation, especially in helping fellow citizens who are facing misfortune.

“The extended family of the Ministry of Trade agreed to show care for our brothers and sisters affected by the disaster in NTT. From morning until noon, donations amounting to Rp250 million had been collected. This stage is the first because we hope to continue raising donations and distributing them to communities affected by the disaster in NTT,” he said.

Highlighting trade facilities in the earthquake-affected areas, Budi said an initial identification had been carried out. He mentioned that there are four markets with varying degrees of damage, one of which is Pasar Inpres Ruteng in Manggarai with damage to a number of pillars that has made the market temporarily unusable.

“Our initial identification shows that four markets have been affected. One of them is Pasar Inpres Ruteng in Manggarai, which has damaged pillars. We have coordinated with the local government so that the market is not used temporarily for the safety of the public,” he said.

He revealed that the restoration of trade facilities is an important part of the post-disaster recovery process in NTT. He sees people’s markets, kiosks and other trade facilities as having a strategic role in reviving the economic activity of the community.

“These trade facilities are important because they are places where people carry out activities and meet their daily needs. Once the emergency situation is handled, we want trade to recover quickly. Traders can resume selling and the public can resume their activities,” he said.

In addition to the condition of trade facilities, Budi is also continuing to ensure the availability and smooth distribution of staple goods in the affected areas. To that end, the Ministry of Trade has coordinated with distributors, including those outside the disaster-affected areas and in nearby provinces, to maintain supplies to NTT. This coordination will continue to be strengthened through a team led by the Director General of Domestic Trade of the Ministry of Trade together with local governments and business actors.

“We have coordinated with business actors, including modern retailers, and they have conveyed that supplies are still safe. At present, the focus is on post-disaster emergency handling.”