Antara News·Indonesia·Sunday, August 16, 2026 at 02:10 PM

NTT quake: President Prabowo guarantees maximum assistance for victims

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Fathur Rochman, Yashinta Difa

Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Prabowo Subianto said that the central government is mobilizing a full-scale relief response for disaster-hit communities in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), following a powerful magnitude 7.7 earthquake that displaced over 9,000 residents across the province.

The President announced the immediate release of 50,000 emergency food and supply packages, with the initial shipment arriving via distribution hubs in Maumere and Labuan Bajo over the weekend.

"We want to ensure that our brothers and sisters there receive fast and optimal emergency assistance," Prabowo stated via social media monitored in Jakarta on Sunday.

To ensure a rapid on-target response, Prabowo dispatched a cross-sectoral team led by Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Pratikno, Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian, Public Works Minister Dody Hanggodo, Head of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) Suharyanto, as well as Head of the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) Vice Marshal Mohammad Syafii.

In addition to cabinet officials, state-owned enterprises—including Bulog, state utility PLN, energy provider Pertamina, and telecommunications giant Telkom Indonesia—have been deployed to restore critical infrastructure, power, and communications networks.

"The safety and basic needs of citizens are the most important thing right now. The government will continue to do its best to restore the situation," Prabowo emphasized.

According to data released Sunday by the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), at least 9,290 survivors are currently sheltering in temporary camps.

Sikka Regency has recorded the highest concentration of displaced residents at 3,356 people, followed by Manggarai Regency with 2,078.

BNPB confirmed that an initial 4,925 packages have arrived via Maumere and Labuan Bajo, while the remaining 45,075 packages will be delivered progressively according to field assessments.

In his statement, Prabowo also expressed his sympathy and prayers to the people affected by the disaster.

"Our hearts and prayers are with our brothers and sisters in East Nusa Tenggara, who are grieving due to the earthquake," he concluded.

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