Villages Ministry and Transmigration Ministry distribute Rp100 million donation for NTT

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Villages and Development of Disadvantaged Regions (Kemendes PDT) together with the Ministry of Transmigration (Kementrans) have distributed donations worth Rp100 million to victims affected by the earthquake in Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT).

“We express our condolences over the disaster that occurred and have also raised donations to be distributed to the victims,” said Minister of Villages and Development of Disadvantaged Regions Yandri Susanto during a disaster solidarity event held in Jakarta on Tuesday.

Going forward, Yandri said he hoped the donations collected could continue to grow, given that the victims still need assistance.

The disaster solidarity event was also enlivened by a series of folk arts activities and several games. Staff and employees who attended could also view an exhibition of products produced by village-owned enterprises (BUMDes) and enjoy local culinary specialities.

“Kemendes and Kementrans are one body and one entity, namely the Red and White, so we present games that foster solidarity,” said the former Deputy Speaker of the People’s Consultative Assembly of the Republic of Indonesia.

He further explained that the games included sack races, tug-of-war, and balloon running. These games, he said, reinforce the meaning often expressed by President Prabowo Subianto, namely “We are a superteam, not Superman.”

“We want to ensure that all staff and employees fill this 81-year-old independence with sincerity so that we can advance villages in Indonesia,” he said.

The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) also recorded that 2,403 houses were damaged by the earthquake on the northern side of Flores Island, of which 1,543 suffered heavy damage, 328 moderate damage, and 532 light damage.

A total of 22 educational facilities were damaged and 88 others were affected by the earthquake tremors. Meanwhile, health facilities affected reached 211 units, including 21 hospitals and 190 community health centres.