President Prabowo Mobilizes Full-Scale Relief for East Nusa Tenggara Earthquake Victims

President Prabowo Mobilizes Full-Scale Relief for East Nusa Tenggara Earthquake Victims

President Prabowo Subianto has committed the central government to a comprehensive relief operation for communities in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) following a devastating magnitude 7.7 earthquake that has left more than 9,000 residents displaced across the province.

The earthquake struck at 5:58 a.m. Central Indonesian Time on Saturday, August 15, 2026, with its epicenter located approximately 30 kilometers northeast of Mbay in Nagekeo Regency at a depth of 10 to 15 kilometers. The tremor triggered a tsunami warning that was lifted after approximately 2.5 hours, with coastal monitoring stations recording tsunami waves ranging from 0.17 to 0.94 meters in height.

In response to the crisis, the President announced the immediate release of 50,000 emergency food and supply packages, with an initial shipment of 4,925 packages already delivered through distribution hubs in Maumere and Labuan Bajo over the weekend. The remaining 45,075 packages will be distributed progressively based on field assessments.

We want to ensure that our brothers and sisters there receive fast and optimal emergency assistance.

Prabowo stated via social media on Sunday.

Cross-Sectoral Response Team Deployed

To coordinate the rapid emergency response, Prabowo dispatched a high-level team led by Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Pratikno, alongside Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian, Public Works Minister Dody Hanggodo, Head of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) Suharyanto, and Head of the National Search and Rescue Agency Vice Marshal Mohammad Syafii.

The National Disaster Management Agency, established in 2008 and directly responsible to the President, is coordinating relief efforts across multiple regencies. According to BNPB data released Sunday, at least 9,290 survivors are currently sheltering in temporary camps, with Sikka Regency recording the highest concentration at 3,356 displaced residents, followed by Manggarai Regency with 2,078.

State-owned enterprises including Bulog, power utility PLN, energy provider Pertamina, and telecommunications giant Telkom Indonesia have been mobilized to restore critical infrastructure, power networks, and communications systems disrupted by the disaster.

Geographic Challenges Complicate Response

Relief operations face significant logistical hurdles due to East Nusa Tenggara's geography, which consists of numerous islands and presents considerable transportation and access challenges. Landslides triggered by the earthquake have blocked roads and disrupted communications, with rescue teams initially unable to reach Nagekeo, the region closest to the epicenter.

The earthquake has been followed by more than 1,500 aftershocks, with the strongest measuring magnitude 6.2. Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysical Agency reported that 54 of these aftershocks were felt by residents, prolonging the emergency and necessitating continued evacuations.

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.

Region Vulnerable to Seismic Activity

Indonesia sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, an arc of intense seismic activity where the country experiences frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. The same Flores region was struck by a magnitude 7.0 earthquake in December 1992, which triggered a tsunami that killed approximately 2,500 people.

The President expressed sympathy and solidarity with affected communities.

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

he concluded.