Indonesia Dispatches 50,000 Aid Packages for East Nusa Tenggara Earthquake Victims

Jakarta, The Gulf Observer: President Prabowo Subianto has ordered the dispatch of 50,000 packages of basic necessities to communities affected by a magnitude 7.7 earthquake in East Nusa Tenggara, as the Indonesian government stepped up emergency response and relief operations.

Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya said on Saturday that the presidential aid packages had been sent to Maumere for immediate distribution among affected residents.

President Prabowo has directed senior government officials to travel directly to the affected areas and coordinate relief efforts. Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Cultural Affairs Pratikno, Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian, Public Works Minister Dody Hanggodo, National Agency for Disaster Countermeasure (BNPB) Head Suharyanto and National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) Head Mohammad Syafii were instructed to proceed to Labuan Bajo and Maumere.

The President also ordered Deputy Health Minister Benjamin Paulus Octavianus, Deputy Social Affairs Minister Agus Jabo Priyono, and teams from state-owned electricity company PT PLN, energy company PT Pertamina and the state logistics agency Bulog to accelerate assistance and disaster response operations.

Teddy said President Prabowo had instructed all government agencies to respond swiftly and ensure that affected communities receive the assistance required.

Speaking at a press conference in Jakarta, BNPB Head Suharyanto said the presidential aid would be distributed immediately to residents in need, particularly to address initial logistical requirements in the disaster-hit areas.

The government is working to ensure the availability of essential supplies, including food and drinking water, clean water, tents and temporary shelters, generators and other emergency equipment. Authorities are also seeking to maximise existing logistical resources in areas surrounding the affected locations.

Suharyanto said the Ministry of Social Affairs planned to relocate supplies from neighbouring districts, including East Flores, which suffered comparatively limited or no impact from the earthquake. The redistribution of supplies is expected to take place within one to two days.

The Ministry of Social Affairs and BNPB also have stocks of essential commodities at logistical warehouses that can be deployed immediately to affected communities.

According to BNPB data available as of 3 p.m. local time on Saturday, the earthquake had claimed 38 lives. Two people sustained serious injuries and 11 others suffered minor injuries, while around 2,000 residents evacuated independently.

Manggarai District was reported as the worst-affected area, followed by East Manggarai District.

The government continues to coordinate emergency response, rescue, evacuation and humanitarian assistance operations to support communities affected by the earthquake.