TASPEN Distributes 400 Food Packages and Supporting Aid for NTT Earthquake Victims

PT TASPEN (Persero) distributed humanitarian aid in the form of 400 food packages and various supporting necessities with a total value of Rp155 million to communities affected by the earthquake disaster in Flores, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), on Tuesday (18/8). The aid was handed over by TASPEN’s President Commissioner, Fary Djemy Francis, together with TASPEN’s Investment Director, Rifki Isnaini Hassan, to the Chairman of the Ngada Family Association (Ikada) Kupang, Isidorus Lilidjawa, who subsequently distributed it to around 450 people at several evacuation points.

TASPEN’s President Commissioner, Fary Djemy Francis, said this assistance is a form of TASPEN’s concern for the affected communities, particularly in meeting their basic needs while in evacuation. ‘TASPEN Group extends its condolences over the disaster and its impact on the people of NTT. Today TASPEN is distributing aid to communities affected by the earthquake in Ngada Regency, which we had intended to deliver directly, but due to the aftershocks, we are conveying this assistance to the Kupang City Government. Nevertheless, TASPEN’s Ende Branch Office had already arrived earlier in Ngada Regency to hand over aid directly at the evacuation site as a rapid response,’ said Fary.

The supporting necessities distributed by TASPEN to assist affected communities at evacuation sites consist of seven generator units worth Rp70 million to support electricity supply, 25 tarpaulin units worth Rp25 million as temporary shelter protection, and 400 food packages worth Rp60 million to meet the daily food needs of the community. In addition, medical supplies were also distributed to support the health needs of affected residents experiencing health problems. During the distribution process, TASPEN faced transportation constraints that caused delays in aid distribution.

Nevertheless, TASPEN representatives had arrived at the location since Monday (17/8) to coordinate and ensure that the needs of affected communities could be addressed promptly. In addition to providing humanitarian aid, TASPEN is also committed to continuing to assist its participants and their families in the affected areas. ‘In addition to food packages and supporting necessities, TASPEN also handed over assistance to Gekrafs NTT (National Creative Economy Movement of East Nusa Tenggara), which will then send health workers to the affected locations to accelerate the recovery of communities affected by the earthquake,’ he said.

Fary expressed hope that this humanitarian aid can support the recovery of communities affected by the earthquake in NTT. Meanwhile, Isidorus Lilidjawa said communities in the northern part of Ngada still require assistance because the earthquake’s impact is quite severe. ‘Ngada may not be very prominent on social media regarding earthquake coverage, but in northern Ngada the impact of the earthquake is very much felt. Many buildings and houses are damaged, even collapsed,’ said Isidorus.

He said a number of residents are still displaced because their homes are damaged and due to aftershocks. Ikada Kupang has also been collecting donations since 16 August 2026, which will be distributed in a targeted manner through the local government or religious institutions.