Transportation Ministry Distributes Aid for NTT Earthquake Survivors

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia’s Transportation Ministry is collecting humanitarian aid for Flores earthquake victims. The campaign runs through ministry headquarters in Jakarta until August 22.

Transportation Minister, Dudy Purwagandhi, said the initiative reflects government solidarity. He said assistance aims to ease burdens facing affected communities.

Ministry employees can contribute food, drinking water, blankets, and sarongs. Clothing, medicines, vitamins, and other basic necessities are also accepted.

Aid collected centrally will reach affected areas through sea and air. Sea shipments will use KM (ship) Tidar, departing Tanjung Priok on August 29.

KM Tidar is scheduled to serve Maumere, Larantuka, Lewoleba, and Kupang. Air deliveries are planned using a Balai Besar Kalibrasi aircraft.

The aircraft is expected to transport assistance to Ende Airport, Flores. Regional ministry technical units have independently distributed aid directly.

Those units include offices with closer locations and access to NTT. The ministry is also optimizing transport services and infrastructure for recovery.

The minister said, “We are also ensuring optimal support for transportation services.” Airport and port inspections continue amid emergency response and recovery efforts.

Air and sea connectivity is being maintained to support public mobility. Transport links will also facilitate aid distribution to affected communities.

The ministry said safety remains the priority during these operations. Humanitarian assistance and transportation support are being coordinated alongside recovery efforts.