Govt Sends More Aid Flights to Disaster-Hit NTT

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Indonesian government is accelerating aid distribution to communities affected by the disaster in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), following directives from President Prabowo Subianto. Five additional aircraft carrying relief supplies were dispatched on Wednesday, August 19, 2026.

Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya said the five aircraft carried about 65 tons of supplies. With this latest shipment, the government has flown a total of 253 tons of aid since the first day of the disaster.

“From the first day with 27 tons to the fifth day, 253 tons of logistics have been transported. These include food, drinks, tents, medical supplies, and other essential items for affected residents in NTT,” Teddy said in a press statement on Wednesday, August 19, 2026.

To speed up distribution, the government has established two main logistics hubs in Labuan Bajo and Maumere.

“The Labuan Bajo post will serve as a distribution point for western Flores, including Manggarai, West Manggarai, East Manggarai, and Ngada,” Teddy said.

Aid at the Maumere post will be distributed to affected communities in Sikka, Ende, and Nagekeo. The regional division aims to speed up logistics to areas in need.

“The government is deploying various modes of transportation to ensure aid is not hindered by geographical conditions or limited access. For air transport, we are using helicopters, Cassa aircraft, and smaller planes,” he said.

The government is also using sea routes to deliver large volumes of aid. Three Indonesian Navy warships (KRI) have been deployed to support the distribution process, and a hospital ship has arrived to assist with medical needs in affected areas.

Meanwhile, land access to several affected regions has begun to return to normal. According to Teddy, all land routes have been passable since the second day after the disaster.

“A report from the Ministry of Public Works shows that all land routes have been passable since the second day,” he said.

The reopening of land routes has become a crucial factor in accelerating aid delivery from distribution points. With land access restored, logistics arriving by air and sea can be immediately forwarded to communities in need.

Teddy said the government continues to monitor the NTT disaster response to ensure aid distribution is swift and meets the needs of affected communities.

“The government continues to monitor the disaster response. We hope the process will proceed quickly and that communities will receive all logistics as soon as possible,” he said. (Misni Parjiati)