Antara News·Indonesia·Thursday, August 20, 2026 at 03:28 AM

Indonesia's defense minister hears quake victims' concerns in NTT

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Walda M, Rahmad Nasution

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin listened directly to earthquake victims’ concerns during a visit to East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) Province on August 17, as the government continued its emergency response.

A video of Sjafrie speaking with several residents during the visit went viral after being posted on social media. One account that posted the footage was @berdialoq on Instagram.

The video showed Sjafrie talking with three residents in Waikoka Village, Nagekeo District, late at night. They sat together on a plastic bench in an open area.

The conversation appeared relaxed, with residents openly sharing their concerns with the minister, according to Defense Ministry's Public Relations and Information Bureau Chief Brig. Gen. Rico Ricardo Sirait's confirmation to ANTARA in Jakarta on Thursday.

“He directly heard residents’ conditions and what they experienced after the earthquake, while expressing condolences for residents who died in the disaster,” Rico said.

Rico said Sjafrie sought to understand what the disaster victims needed most.

That would allow assistance from the Defense Ministry to be targeted and aligned with residents’ needs, he said.

“Besides logistical aid, the Defense Ministry and TNI are also preparing tents, field beds, drinking water, Starlink communications support and other facilities,” Rico said.

Rico said he hoped Sjafrie’s presence among residents would encourage victims to remain resilient and trust the government’s commitment to supporting them.

Earlier, Sjafrie and officials delivered 20 metric tons of relief supplies to NTT aboard an A400M transport aircraft after he attended Indonesia’s 81st Independence Day ceremony at the State Palace.

The relief supplies were transported aboard the A400M, which had also participated in the Independence Day aerial parade over Jakarta.

The 20 metric tons of aid included 25 tent sets, 484 field beds, 15 Starlink sets, 700 ready-to-eat food packages, 500 boxes of liquid milk, 10 solar-cell sets, 35 field mosquito nets, 101 mattresses, 1,480 blankets, two reverse-osmosis units and 18 packages of medicines.

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