Transportation Ministry Sends 7.9 Tons Aid to NTT

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – The Ministry of Transportation has once again provided humanitarian assistance to communities affected by the earthquake in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), sending 768 boxes of aid weighing approximately 7.9 tons by sea. The aid was transported aboard the KM Tidar, bound for Maumere Port in NTT. It will subsequently be distributed to several affected areas, including Maumere, Labuan Bajo, Kupang, and Larantuka.

Secretary General of the Ministry of Transportation Arif Toha symbolically handed over the aid to PT Pelayaran Nasional Indonesia (Persero), or PELNI, at the Nusantara Passenger Terminal, Tanjung Priok Port, Jakarta, Saturday, August 29, 2026. Arif said the assistance was collected by the Ministry of Transportation family from August 15-22, 2026, as an expression of concern and solidarity with communities affected by the disaster in NTT.

“As an expression of concern and empathy for our brothers and sisters in NTT, the Ministry of Transportation’s headquarters was compelled to respond quickly to this emergency situation by collecting donations involving all employees,” Arif said.

The aid includes basic necessities, ready-to-eat meals, blankets, mats, and other essential supplies. Some of the aid collected earlier had been distributed through the National Logistics Support Post (Posduklognas) of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) at Halim Perdanakusuma on August 22 and 24, 2026.

The latest shipment by sea is part of efforts to expand the reach of aid distribution while accommodating larger quantities of humanitarian supplies. Previously, the Ministry of Transportation had also distributed aid by air.

Arif expressed his appreciation for PELNI’s support in facilitating the transportation of humanitarian assistance aboard the KM Tidar to NTT. “We extend our highest appreciation and gratitude to PT PELNI for its synergy, support, and commitment in facilitating the shipment of these logistics aboard the KM Tidar directly to Maumere Port,” he said.

In addition to shipments from Jakarta, humanitarian assistance has also been independently distributed by several Technical Implementation Units (UPTs) of the Ministry of Transportation located closer to the affected areas in NTT. Support has also been provided through several other ports as part of efforts to facilitate the distribution of aid to communities in need.

The Ministry of Transportation continues to provide transportation support to assist with the mobilization and distribution of logistics to affected areas, while prioritizing safety. The journey of the KM Tidar to NTT is expected to take approximately two days. The Ministry of Transportation hopes that the entire process, from transporting the aid to distributing it to communities, will proceed safely and smoothly.