Sikka Regency Government Ensures Earthquake Aid Is Distributed, Not Piling Up at Posts
The Sikka Regency Government in East Nusa Tenggara has assured that logistics aid for residents affected by the earthquake continues to be distributed and is not piling up at disaster response posts.
Margaretha Movaldes da Maga Bapa, Chair of the Sikka Regency Tectonic Earthquake Emergency Response Command Post, said that every aid shipment arriving at the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) post is immediately processed for distribution to communities in need.
“We ensure there is no accumulation of logistics at the Sikka Regency BPBD post. Every incoming aid shipment is processed for distribution to areas in need,” she said in a statement from Kupang on Tuesday (18/8).
According to Margaretha, as of Tuesday (18/8), aid distribution was still ongoing from the Tectonic Earthquake Emergency Response Command Post located on Jalan Mawar, Perumnas Maumere.
Logistics distribution to several areas began on Sunday (16/8). For affected communities in Palue Sub-district, aid was sent directly by the Sikka Regent together with the Sikka Regency Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimda) and the East Flores PLN Team.
“Logistics distribution has been carried out since Sunday (16/8). For the Palue Sub-district area, aid was brought directly by the Sikka Regent together with members of the Sikka Regency Forkopimda and the East Flores PLN Team,” she explained.
Distribution to Palue Island is being carried out continuously to meet the basic needs of residents affected by the earthquake, especially those who still require assistance during the emergency response period.
In addition to Palue, the Sikka Regency Government is simultaneously distributing aid to 20 other sub-districts. Distribution in each area is coordinated and led by the heads of regional apparatus organisations (OPD) according to their respective areas and duties.
“Simultaneous distribution in the other 20 sub-districts is led directly by the OPD heads. The process continued until around 3.00 a.m. WITA this morning and is still ongoing,” she said.
The logistics distributed by the Sikka Regency Government cover various needs of disaster-affected communities. The aid includes food supplies, family necessities, evacuation equipment, as well as health and sanitation needs.
To support residents at evacuation sites, including in Palue Sub-district, the government has distributed a number of items. The aid consists of five refugee tents measuring 6 x 12 metres, 146 orange family tents measuring 4 x 4 metres along with tent tarpaulins, 200 folding mattresses, 400 mats, and 400 blankets.
In addition, 300 basic food packages, 100 kids ware packages, 10 generator sets, 100 hygiene kits, five water tanks, three light power batteries, and two light power chargers were also distributed.
Disaster management in Sikka Regency is not solely focused on the earthquake’s impact. The Sikka Regency Government is also distributing aid to communities affected by other disasters.
As of Monday (17/8), the government had distributed drinking water aid to residents of Kringa Village. The distribution was carried out after the community’s water source became contaminated due to the eruption of Mount Lewotobi.
The drinking water aid is intended to maintain the availability of safe and suitable water for the community to meet their daily needs.
Margaretha said coordination continues between the Emergency Response Command Post, BPBD, OPDs, the Indonesian National Armed Forces and National Police, sub-district and village governments, and various related parties. This coordination is necessary to ensure that aid distribution can proceed quickly, accurately, and evenly.
“This step is part of the government’s efforts to ensure that the basic needs of communities affected by the earthquake, especially residents still at evacuation sites, can be met during the emergency response period,” she said.