TASPEN distributes humanitarian aid for residents affected by Flores earthquake

Kupang, NTT (ANTARA) - PT TASPEN (Persero) has distributed 400 food packages and various supporting necessities worth Rp155 million for communities affected by the earthquake in Flores, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).

TASPEN’s President Commissioner Fary Djemy Francis in Kupang on Tuesday said the assistance reflects TASPEN’s concern for affected communities, particularly in meeting basic needs while in evacuation shelters.

“TASPEN Group extends its condolences over the disaster and its impact on the people of NTT. Today TASPEN is distributing assistance to communities affected by the earthquake in Ngada Regency, which we had intended to hand over directly. However, 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 assistance directly at evacuation sites as a rapid response,” he said.

Fary said the supporting necessities distributed by TASPEN to assist affected communities at evacuation sites consist of seven generator units worth Rp70 million to provide electricity, 25 tarpaulins worth Rp25 million as temporary shelter protection, and 400 food packages worth Rp60 million to meet the daily food needs of residents.

In addition, medical supplies were also distributed to support the health needs of affected residents experiencing health problems.

The assistance was handed over symbolically through representatives of the Ngada Family Association (IKADA) of Kupang City for subsequent distribution to affected residents, particularly in the Riung area of Ngada Regency.

Fary said that during the distribution process, TASPEN faced transportation constraints that delayed the delivery of aid.

Nevertheless, TASPEN personnel 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 assistance, TASPEN is committed to continuing to support participants and their families in the affected areas.

Currently, there are a total of 90,110 pension and active TASPEN participants in the affected area, who are part of TASPEN’s focus to ensure participants continue to receive protection and benefits according to their rights in disaster conditions.

“In addition to food packages and supporting necessities, TASPEN is also handing 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,” said Fary.