Pelindo distributes humanitarian aid to earthquake victims in NTT

PT Pelabuhan Indonesia (Persero), or Pelindo, has distributed humanitarian aid to communities affected by the earthquake on Flores Island, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), even though several of the port facilities it manages were also impacted by the disaster.

The aid was channelled through coordination with the SOE Task Force and the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) in the affected areas to ensure the needs of residents and displaced people can be met.

“Although a number of Pelindo port facilities in NTT were also affected by the earthquake, this has not diminished our concern and commitment to helping the community,” said Pelindo Executive Director 3 Wahyu Widodo in a statement in Surabaya, East Java, on Wednesday.

Wahyu said the assistance was part of the company’s efforts to respond to community needs amid the post-earthquake recovery process.

The initial phase of aid was handed over to the Ende Regency BPBD on Monday (17/8) for subsequent distribution to affected communities, while aid for the Maumere area was handed over to the local BPBD on Tuesday (18/8).

A number of other aid shipments are still en route to Ende and Maumere, comprising basic foodstuffs and essential supplies for vulnerable groups, such as children and the elderly, in the form of blankets and mattresses.

Wahyu said the type of assistance was tailored to the results of coordination with the local BPBD so that the needs of residents and displaced people in the affected locations could be prioritised.

The aid came, among others, from Pelindo Group entities based in Surabaya, namely PT Pelindo Terminal Petikemas (PTP), PT Terminal Petikemas Surabaya (TPS) and PT Pelindo Marine Service (PMS).

Meanwhile, the 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck the NTT region earlier also affected a number of Pelindo port facilities on Flores Island.

Labuan Bajo Port and Ende Port suffered minor damage, while Maumere Port was reported to have experienced a greater impact, which temporarily disrupted operational activities.

Pelindo subsequently accelerated the restoration of facilities and services. As this process progressed, the ports that had been affected began to resume normal operational activities.