Prabowo Promises Temporary Housing for Flores Quake Survivors

RRI.CO.ID, Mbay – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto met with survivors of the Flores earthquake who are taking shelter at Berdikari Field in Nagekeo Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, on Wednesday, August 26, 2026. During the visit, Prabowo saw firsthand the affected residents' conditions, while also reviewed the government’s post-disaster response in the area.

Prabowo said the government would begin building temporary shelters and repairing damaged homes once conditions are considered safe enough. He said the work is expected to begin within the next three weeks at the latest.

"According to the experts, we need to be patient for approximately, perhaps at most, another three weeks before everything is relatively safe. After that, we will begin building temporary housing, repairing homes, and so on," he said.

Prabowo said his government is continuously monitoring and taking steps, sending aid, and preparing every measure to tackle the difficulties. He assured locals that the government would continue to assist those affected and would not leave disaster survivors to deal with the aftermath on their own.

"So please believe that the government will not abandon its own people. We are here, and we will continue to help you," he said, followed by applause.

Before meeting the residents, Prabowo chaired an evaluation meeting on disaster response at an Indonesian Army facility in Nagekeo. In addition to assessing the needs of those affected, he expressed his support for a plan to prepare 8,000 hectares of land in the province for agriculture and reforestation.

Prior to Prabowo’s visit, Vice President Gibran Rakabuming visited Flores several days after the earthquake to inspect the aid distribution to earthquake survivors. As of mid-August, the central government claimed it has sent 253 tons of logistical supplies to the affected areas.

The 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Flores Island and surrounding areas on Saturday morning, August 15, 2026, with the epicenter located in the island's north. As of Thursday, August 27, 2026, 111 people have died, and about 176,000 people have been evacuated.