President Prabowo Dispatches 50,000 Aid Packages Following Deadly East Nusa Tenggara Earthquake

President Prabowo Dispatches 50,000 Aid Packages Following Deadly East Nusa Tenggara Earthquake

President Prabowo Subianto dispatched 50,000 packages of basic necessities to East Nusa Tenggara on Saturday following a devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck the province early in the morning, killing 38 people and forcing thousands from their homes.

The earthquake hit at 5:58 AM local time on August 15, with its epicenter located approximately 68 kilometers north-northwest of Ende on Flores Island at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers. The temblor triggered small tsunamis at multiple coastal locations, including a 1.61-meter wave that struck the village of Riung in Ngada regency, blanketing the area in mud and debris.

Government Mobilizes Disaster Response

Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya announced that the presidential aid packages would be transported to Maumere for distribution to affected communities. The relief supplies consist of essential food items needed by residents in the disaster zone.

President Prabowo ordered senior government officials to travel immediately to the affected areas. 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 directly to Labuan Bajo and Maumere.

The President also mobilized Deputy Health Minister Benjamin Paulus Octavianus and Deputy Social Affairs Minister Agus Jabo Priyono, along with teams from state-owned enterprises PT PLN, PT Pertamina, and Bulog to accelerate disaster response operations.

President Prabowo has ordered all government agencies to move quickly to respond to the disaster and ensure that affected communities receive the assistance they need.

BNPB Head Suharyanto confirmed at a Jakarta press conference that the presidential aid would be distributed immediately to residents in need. The government is ensuring that essential supplies including food, beverages, clean water, tents, temporary shelters, generators, and other emergency materials reach earthquake victims.

Extensive Damage Across the Region

The disaster has caused extensive damage across the region. More than 900 homes were destroyed and an additional 450 homes sustained damage, forcing approximately 5,000 people into temporary shelters. As of 3 PM local time on Saturday, the earthquake had claimed 38 lives, with two people suffering serious injuries and 11 others sustaining minor injuries. Another 2,000 people evacuated independently.

Manggarai District emerged as the most severely affected area, followed by East Manggarai District. The quake has damaged critical infrastructure across East Nusa Tenggara, a province of approximately 5.61 million people spread across more than 500 islands. Five of the province's 15 airports sustained damage, though runways remained operational with damage concentrated in terminal buildings. Two port facilities and two ferry facilities were also affected.

The Ministry of Social Affairs is working with BNPB to optimize available logistical supplies, with plans to relocate stocks from neighboring districts including East Flores within one to two days. These districts experienced less severe impacts or escaped damage entirely.

Ongoing Seismic Activity and Response Challenges

The seismic activity has continued since the initial earthquake, with Indonesia's meteorology agency BMKG recording more than 1,576 aftershocks ranging from magnitude 1.9 to 6.2 as of August 17. Sixteen of these aftershocks registered magnitudes greater than 5.0, underscoring the ongoing threat facing communities in the region.

East Nusa Tenggara's geography presents significant challenges for disaster response efforts. With approximately 75-80% of the population residing in rural areas across numerous islands, transportation and access remain difficult. BNPB, which was established in 2008 as the country's central governing body for disaster-related activities and reports directly to the President, is coordinating the multi-agency response.

Labuan Bajo, located on the western tip of Flores Island and serving as the gateway to Komodo National Park, has become a key coordination point for government officials due to its infrastructure and accessibility. The historic Flores region has experienced significant seismic events in the past, highlighting the area's vulnerability to earthquakes and the critical importance of rapid disaster response.