West Manggarai Regency distributes earthquake aid to northern coastal areas
The West Manggarai Regency Government, together with a number of stakeholders, has distributed social assistance to communities affected by the Flores earthquake in several northern coastal areas of West Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara Province.
West Manggarai Regent Edistasius Endi said from Labuan Bajo on Thursday that the northern coastal areas were the priority for aid distribution at this stage, while distribution to other areas was still in the preparation process.
“Today we will distribute logistics to the northern coast of West Manggarai Regency. This is a priority, while other islands are still in the preparation process. However, the priority for distribution today is the northern region,” he said.
In the distribution, rice aid was delivered to a number of areas with the support of fleets from various elements.
Seraya Island received 1.5 tonnes of rice transported using a Polair vessel, while 1.5 tonnes of rice was distributed to Boleng Island using two Lanal Labuan Bajo vessels.
Meanwhile, Longos Island received 2,120 kilograms of rice distributed using a combined fleet from the Indonesian National Armed Forces, BPOLBF, and Immigration.
Aid of 1.5 tonnes of rice was also sent to Medang Island using KSOP and SAR vessels. Aid for communities in Rangko was distributed by land using official vehicles of the West Manggarai Regency Government carrying 1.5 tonnes of rice.
In addition to rice, the aid included bottled drinking water and ready-to-eat meals to meet the basic needs of affected communities.
The distribution process to Longos Island faced obstacles due to low tide conditions. The speedboat carrying the aid could not dock at the village pier because the water depth was insufficient.
The distance between the speedboat’s stopping point and the pier was also considerable, so the aid could not be unloaded directly from the vessel.
An alternative sea route also faced obstacles due to fairly high waves. The team then coordinated with local communities and used an open deck boat owned by residents to continue the distribution.
The aid was transferred from the transport fleet to the open deck boat at sea before being taken to the location and handed over to the affected communities.
Acting President Director of BPOLBF Andhy M.T. Marpaung said BPOLBF’s involvement was a form of support for the local government’s efforts to accelerate the distribution of basic necessities for communities affected by the disaster.
“BPOLBF is committed to supporting the local government’s rapid steps in ensuring aid can reach communities in need. The conditions of island areas certainly present their own challenges, so the distribution process requires collaboration, coordination, and readiness to adjust strategies in the field,” he said.
He said BPOLBF would continue to support disaster impact management according to its capacity and through coordination with the local government and relevant ministries/institutions.
Cross-sector collaboration, he said, is an important part of ensuring that the needs of affected communities, especially in areas with access challenges, can still be met.