Viral: District Head in East Manggarai Outraged Over Disaster Aid Distribution

A viral video showing a district head in East Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), engaged in a heated argument with BNPB officials over the distribution of disaster aid following the earthquake that struck Flores Island has drawn public attention. He demanded fairness and transparency in aid distribution for affected residents.

In the recorded conversation, the Head of Lamba Leda Utara District, East Manggarai Regency, Agustinus Supratman, said he felt pressured and disagreed with the distribution arrangement, which he considered unfair to all residents.

Agustinus expressed his frustration because he was asked to distribute aid evenly across 11 villages in his area, even though the available aid was limited for a population of 21,171 people.

“I feel very pressured and burdened. I have to distribute to 11 villages, but that is not the way. All villages are now protesting to me, all asking where the aid is. Meanwhile, the available aid is small, but it has to be divided among many people. How?” Agustinus said in a raised voice, as quoted from the viral video on Friday (21/8).

He protested against the statement that the aid received was said to be ‘a lot’, when in reality the amount was far from sufficient for the entire population.

“You said the aid is a lot, but what is here is only this. I do not like being pressured to divide it equally among 11 villages when the amount is small. I am stressed, reports to the ministry and phone calls from everywhere keep coming in. I cannot take it anymore,” he insisted.

Agustinus also asked that distribution be carried out transparently and according to need, not under pressure or orders forcing him to divide it equally without considering the extent of damage and the number of residents who truly need help.

“We manage this community together. Do not apply pressure. I appreciate every aid that comes, but it must be fair and well targeted. Do not let the residents who need it most not receive it,” he added.

BNPB officials present at the meeting had not yet provided an official response regarding the debate. The situation on the ground as of Friday afternoon remained tense, amid high public expectations for post-disaster aid.

Meanwhile, Head of BNPB Lieutenant General Suharyanto said the government continues to accelerate the fulfilment of basic logistical needs for refugees affected by the 7.7 magnitude earthquake in NTT. He also acknowledged that there were still shortcomings in the provision of aid and post-disaster response efforts.

“We continue to work hard and quickly to meet the basic needs of the community in evacuation sites and to improve shortcomings occurring in the field,” Suharyanto said in a written statement on Friday.

He said disaster management in NTT still faces a number of challenges that must be addressed in an integrated manner immediately.

Suharyanto acknowledged residents’ complaints regarding the clean water and electricity crisis at several posts, including at the Reo Evacuation Post in Manggarai Regency.

“We understand the difficulties experienced by our brothers and sisters in evacuation sites. The president’s logistical aid has been distributed with a total of 411 tonnes sent from 15 to 19 August 2026,” Suharyanto said.

He said the fulfilment of logistics for affected residents continues to be intensified. On 19 August, BNPB recorded the distribution of logistical aid by air totalling 72.77 tonnes.

Delivery priorities on the same day included 5,000 basic food packages to the Maumere Post and 2,900 basic food packages to the Labuan Bajo Post.

A number of naval vessels were deployed to assist with logistics distribution. The Republic of Indonesia Ship (KRI) Bung Hatta departed from Labuan Bajo Port to Reok Port, Manggarai Regency, carrying aid packages from the President of the Republic of Indonesia, basic food packages, family tents, refugee tents, and public donations for distribution to Manggarai and East Manggarai Regencies.

The Indonesian Navy also deployed KRI dr. Soeharso to support health services. Logistical support includes rice, basic food packages, mineral water, medicines, mattresses, blankets, tents, hygiene kits, fuel, generators, and other necessities.

A total of 882 tent units (215 refugee tents measuring 6×12 and 667 family tents measuring 4×4) and two field hospitals have been prepared.

“We ensure distribution continues to isolated areas, including by sea and air, so that the basic needs of residents in evacuation sites and affected areas are met,” he said.

Meanwhile, in a press conference on the progress of post-earthquake disaster management in NTT on Friday afternoon, BNPB announced that the number of victims found or recorded continues to rise.

“As of today at 16.00 WIB, Friday, 21 August 2026, the death toll has reached 83. Previously, yesterday we reported 75, an increase of 8, with details that the deaths were due to indirect impacts of the earthquake,” said Acting Head of the BNPB Data, Information, and Disaster Communication Centre Berton SP Panjaitan via an online press conference.

The additional deaths comprised two in Manggarai Regency, two in East Manggarai Regency, two in Nagekeo Regency, and one in Ngada Regency.

Furthermore, injuries were reported at 986 people. This figure increased by 79 from the previous report.

As for those displaced, the number is now reported at 110,785 people. The number of refugees increased by 18,050 from the previous figure of 92,735.

Damaged houses now stand at 44,946 units. This data includes 17,176 units in the heavily damaged category, 9,758 units in the moderately damaged category, and 18,013 units in the lightly damaged category. The regencies with the highest number of damaged houses are East Manggarai, West Manggarai, and Manggarai.

Meanwhile, following the main 7.7 magnitude earthquake on Saturday (15/8) morning last week, as of Friday at 16.00, the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) reported 4,258 aftershocks.