PMI Humanitarian Ship Sends 258 Tonnes of Aid for NTT Earthquake Victims, JK: Distribution Right on Target
The Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) has again sent humanitarian aid for communities affected by the earthquake in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). PMI Chairman Jusuf Kalla (JK) said the organisation has disbursed Rp2 billion in aid funds for the third time as part of disaster response efforts.
“(Today) we have transferred Rp2 billion for the third time, adding roughly another Rp2 billion. Thank you to everyone who has provided assistance,” said Jusuf Kalla after releasing the humanitarian aid shipment at the IKT Domestic Terminal in Tanjung Priok, North Jakarta, on Saturday (22/08/2026).
JK estimated that the aid sent via the PMI humanitarian ship, in cooperation with Kalla Lines, would arrive in the affected areas within about two to three days.
In addition to logistical aid, PMI has also deployed health teams to assist communities affected by the earthquake. The medical teams come from a number of regions, namely Jakarta, Bogor Hospital, Surabaya, Sorong, and Makassar.
“(In the PMI health team) there are four groups there to support the health programme. The personnel number around 40 people, and about 50 more will be dispatched. Every two weeks the teams will be rotated,” said JK.
On Saturday, PMI again dispatched around 30 additional personnel to strengthen humanitarian operations at the disaster site.
JK stressed that the large volume of aid coming from the government, the public, regional governments, and PMI must be managed properly so that distribution is well targeted according to the needs of affected residents.
“(We are) utilising all aid from the government, the public, the regions, and PMI. We also ask that the distribution be arranged according to those affected,” he said.
According to JK, PMI has prepared a team in NTT tasked with managing the distribution of aid based on the affected areas. The earthquake is known to have impacted five districts in NTT.
The PMI humanitarian ship that was dispatched carried a total of 258 tonnes of aid. The aid consists of various basic necessities, including 10,000 sarongs, 20,000 items of clothing, 5,000 house dresses, 4,000 Qurans, 3,000 tarpaulins, 2,000 bottles of mineral water, 1,000 hygiene kits, 1,000 dignity kits, 500 baby kits, 500 kitchen kits, 1,000 mattresses, 1,000 blankets, 1,500 jerry cans, and other supplies.
PMI also sent 25 tent units measuring 6x12 metres, 25 portable toilets, 10 water tank vehicles, 10 pick-up trucks, and 7 double cabin vehicles to support operations in the field.
In addition, other supporting aid in the form of 1,200 solar lamps, 1,000 radios, 1,000 torches, 500 shovels, 500 wheelbarrows, 200 sprayers, 200 sets of personal protective equipment (PPE), helmets, and supplies for children were also sent.
JK said the aid transport ship was still in the loading process and was expected to be full until midnight before departing for the disaster site.
PMI has assured that humanitarian operations in NTT will continue with the involvement of various elements to help the community recover after the earthquake.