Social Affairs Ministry's Public Kitchens Serve Thousands of Earthquake Victims in Sikka and Manggarai

The Ministry of Social Affairs continues working to ensure the basic needs of earthquake victims in East Nusa Tenggara are met. Following operations in Nagekeo, the ministry’s public kitchens are now also operating in Sikka and Manggarai regencies to provide meals for displaced residents.

In Sikka Regency, the ministry’s public kitchen operates at the Samador Sports Hall in Madawat Village, Alok District. Operating since Sunday (16/8), the kitchen produces around 4,500 meal packages daily, distributed across three meal times.

In Manggarai Regency, the public kitchen began operating on Monday (17/8) in Reok District. A total of 3,000 meal packages are prepared daily for two meal times. With this capacity, the ministry’s public kitchens in Sikka and Manggarai currently prepare around 7,500 meal packages each day for affected communities.

Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf said the operation of public kitchens continues to be adjusted according to evacuation conditions and community needs in each region.

“We continue to operate public kitchens to serve people still in evacuation shelters. Food needs must be available, as well as tents, clothing, blankets and the needs of vulnerable groups,” said Gus Ipul in his statement on Tuesday (18/8/2026).

Based on preliminary data, 1,237 people are recorded as displaced in Sikka Regency. Four people have died, eight suffered serious injuries and six sustained minor injuries.

In Manggarai Regency, 13,885 people are recorded as displaced. A total of 27 people were reported dead, 32 suffered serious injuries and 104 sustained minor injuries. The data continues to be updated as assessments and data collection proceed in the field.

Gus Ipul stressed that the operation of public kitchens in Sikka and Manggarai continues the services already underway in Nagekeo Regency. The ministry’s public kitchen in Danga Village, Aesesa District, Nagekeo, began operating on Monday (17/8) and currently produces around 2,000 meal packages per day for two meal times.

With the operation of these three public kitchens, the ministry’s food production capacity in Nagekeo, Sikka and Manggarai reaches around 9,500 packages per day.

“We adjust the capacity of our public kitchens to the number of people in need. The team is also continuing to conduct assessments. If needs increase at one location, we will of course adjust our services,” Gus Ipul stressed.

The Ministry of Social Affairs is currently preparing to expand public kitchen services to other affected areas in East Manggarai, West Manggarai and Ngada regencies.