Indonesia Pledges Continued Aid as East Nusa Tenggara Earthquake Death Toll Reaches 103

Jakarta, The Gulf Observer: Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has assured residents affected by the earthquake in East Nusa Tenggara that the government will continue monitoring the situation and providing assistance as the death toll from the disaster reached 103.

Prabowo made the statement while visiting earthquake survivors in Nagekeo District, East Nusa Tenggara, on Wednesday, reaffirming the central government’s commitment to supporting communities affected by the disaster.

“The central government continues to monitor the situation and take steps to send aid and prepare everything needed to address these difficulties,” Prabowo said.

The President said the government had prepared temporary measures to enable schools to reopen as soon as possible. Classes may initially be conducted in tents until damaged school buildings are assessed and declared safe for use.

“We have prepared temporary measures so schools can reopen soon. For safety, schools may initially use tents,” he said.

Prabowo urged residents to remain patient during the post-earthquake recovery process, saying experts had estimated that it could take up to three weeks for conditions to become fully safe.

“According to our experts, we need to be patient. It may take a maximum of about three more weeks before it is safe,” he said.

Once authorities determine that conditions are safe, the government will begin constructing temporary housing and repairing homes damaged by the earthquake.

The President assured affected communities that the government would continue providing assistance and would not abandon them during the recovery process.

“Believe me, the government will not leave you alone. We are here, and we will continue to help you,” he said.

Prabowo also expressed his condolences to the people who lost family members in the disaster, particularly residents of Flores and other affected areas.

“I extend my condolences to all the people of Flores and the areas affected by the disaster, especially those who have lost family members,” he said.

According to the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), 103 people had died as of Tuesday, August 25, following the magnitude 7.7 earthquake that struck Nagekeo District at 5:58 a.m. local time on Saturday, August 15.