Social Affairs Ministry Sets Up Public Kitchens and Distributes 30 Tonnes of Rice, 5,500 Food Packages to NTT
The Ministry of Social Affairs has distributed at least 30 tonnes of regular rice and 5,500 food packages to six earthquake-affected districts in East Nusa Tenggara.
In addition to food aid, the ministry is operating public kitchens during the emergency response period, sending emergency logistics, and increasing personnel numbers to assist services for affected communities.
Deputy Minister of Social Affairs Agus Jabo Priyono said all ministry resources have been mobilised to ensure the basic needs of communities remain met during the emergency response period.
“The instruction is clear: affected communities must receive services immediately. Food, shelter, clothing, family supplies and other basic needs must be ensured available,” Agus Jabo said in a press release on Sunday (16/8/2026).
Regular rice assistance of 5 tonnes each has been allocated to Nagekeo, Sikka, Manggarai, East Manggarai, Ngada and Ende regencies.
For food packages, the ministry distributed 500 packages to Nagekeo Regency, and 1,000 packages each to Sikka, Manggarai, East Manggarai, Ngada and Ende.
In several areas, the food packages are also being used to support the operation of public kitchens serving the food needs of affected residents and displaced people.
“Distribution is carried out according to the needs and conditions of each region. If needs on the ground develop, support will of course be adjusted accordingly,” said Agus.
Public kitchens are currently producing around 4,100 meal boxes every day. The fulfilment of residents’ food needs is also strengthened by food support from the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) kitchens.
“We want to ensure no residents in shelters have difficulty obtaining food. The public kitchens will continue to work as needed during the emergency response period,” said Agus.
In addition to food aid, the ministry has sent emergency logistics to Manggarai, East Manggarai, Ngada and Ende regencies. The assistance covers various shelter needs and basic needs of affected families.
The ministry’s support in the six affected regencies includes:
Nagekeo Regency: 5 tonnes of regular rice, 500 food packages, and public kitchen operations until the emergency response period ends.
Sikka Regency: 5 tonnes of regular rice, 1,000 food packages, and public kitchen support until the emergency response period ends.
Manggarai Regency: 5 tonnes of regular rice, 1,000 food packages, public kitchen support until the emergency response period ends, and emergency logistics assistance.
East Manggarai Regency: 5 tonnes of regular rice, 1,000 food packages to support public kitchens, and emergency logistics assistance.
Ngada Regency: 5 tonnes of regular rice, 1,000 food packages to support public kitchens, and emergency logistics assistance.
Ende Regency: 5 tonnes of regular rice, 1,000 food packages to support public kitchens, and emergency logistics assistance.