Reviewing NTT, DPR Galapana Task Force Focuses on Basic Needs and Permanent Housing for Earthquake Victims

The Post-Disaster Recovery Task Force (Satgas Galapana) of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) has visited the location of the earthquake, which reached a maximum magnitude of 7.7, in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). Deputy Speaker of the DPR Saan Mustopa is focusing attention on meeting basic needs and accelerating the construction of permanent housing (huntap) for affected residents.

This was conveyed by Saan during a coordination meeting in NTT on Sunday (16/8/2026). Also present at the meeting were Deputy Speaker of the DPR Cucun Ahmad Syamsurijal, Deputy Speaker of the DPR Sari Yuliati, Deputy Chair of Commission XII of the DPR Bambang Haryadi, Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Pratikno, Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian, Deputy Minister of Social Affairs Agus Jabo, and Head of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) Lieutenant General TNI Suharyanto.

“However, there is one important matter regarding the refugees. These 4,000 refugees are important to handle in terms of their daily needs. Earlier there was already a public kitchen. This is also important because all their basic needs must be met until they can be ensured to return to their respective homes more quickly — the sooner the better,” said Saan during the coordination meeting.

Saan urged the central government and regional governments to move quickly in assessing the damage to affected residents’ homes. In this way, the construction of permanent housing can be carried out immediately so that victims can promptly leave the evacuation posts.

“That is why earlier we discussed which ones suffered light, moderate, or heavy damage, so that gradually from these 4,000 (refugees) the number can slowly decrease,” he said.

Furthermore, Saan stressed the need to agree on a deadline by which disaster victims can leave the evacuation posts.

“So we must already have a response timeframe for when they can truly all return to their respective homes. This is important in my view. But while they are in the shelters, we must ensure that all their basic needs are met,” he continued.

For information, the DPR Galapana Task Force is led by Deputy Speaker of the DPR Sufmi Dasco Ahmad and was formed to oversee and support budgetary policy for disaster recovery areas. The task force also oversaw post-disaster handling in Sumatra at the end of last year.