Students Join VP Gibran in Post-Quake Recovery Efforts in East Nusa Tenggara

RRI.CO.ID, Ruteng – Indonesia’s Vice President Gibran Rakabuming, invited a delegation of students from Universitas Indonesia (UI) to travel to East Nusa Tenggara province on Thursday, August 20, 2026. He sought to ensure that post-disaster response and recovery efforts were being carried out effectively on the ground, following a magnitude 7.7 earthquake that struck Flores Island in the province on Saturday, August 15, 2026.

"The visit is also part of the government’s efforts to directly assess the conditions of communities affected by the disaster while ensuring that their needs during the emergency response period are being met," the Secretariat of the Vice President of Indonesia said on its website Thursday.

The Secretariat said the Vice President was also providing an opportunity for students to play a role, particularly by helping provide trauma healing for victims in disaster-affected areas. Gibran said the enthusiasm and concern of young people should be facilitated to turn their aspirations into concrete actions that benefit affected communities.

"The Vice President considers student involvement an important part of the spirit of mutual cooperation in responding to disasters. Therefore, the government is not only ensuring that people’s needs are addressed, but also encouraging the younger generation to be present and contribute according to their respective capacities and expertise," the secretariat said.

Gibran visited Sikka Regency on Thursday before continuing his agenda in Manggarai and East Manggarai regencies. One of the locations he visited was the Golo Cenggo Post in Reok District, Manggarai Regency, where on Friday, August 21, 2026, he praised the concern and involvement shown by the students.

Six UI students, all from the Faculty of Psychology, provided initial psychological assistance to children affected by the disaster. They will remain at the site for a week to support the children through child-friendly approaches, including playing, storytelling, singing, and simple group activities.

"I greatly appreciate the concern and dedication of the students who are willing to help with the recovery of our brothers and sisters in East Nusa Tenggara," he said.

The assistance is aimed at helping create a sense of safety and comfort for children while they are staying in evacuation shelters. The students are also providing children with a space to express their feelings and experiences without requiring them to recount the disaster, while observing them to identify any psychosocial support needs that may require further assistance.

The Vice President encouraged greater and better-coordinated youth participation in disaster response efforts, in collaboration with local governments and other relevant parties. Specifically addressing the students, he said he hoped their participation would provide an opportunity to apply the knowledge they had gained at university while delivering tangible benefits to the people.

"I hope the knowledge you have gained at university can provide real benefits to the people of East Nusa Tenggara," he said.

UI is one of Indonesia’s leading universities, ranked 189th globally by the QS World University Rankings. Founded in 1950, with roots dating back to the 19th century, UI campus is primarily located in Depok, West Java, with an older, smaller campus in Jakarta.