Indonesia Sends 50,000 Aid Packages, 27 Tons of Supplies, and 1,267 Troops After 7.7-Magnitude Earthquake

The Indonesian government is racing to deliver relief to thousands of residents displaced by the powerful earthquake that hit East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) province. President Prabowo Subianto has pledged full-scale mobilization of national resources, dispatching 50,000 presidential aid packages containing rice, cooking oil, canned goods, and hygiene supplies [219710]. Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya confirmed that a total of 27 tons of relief supplies, including food, clean water, medical equipment, and temporary shelter materials, have been sent to the affected areas [220669].

The Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) has deployed 1,267 personnel to support disaster response efforts, including search and rescue, medical aid, and logistics [219703]. Military aircraft and naval vessels are on standby to move residents out of affected zones and support sea-based evacuations if needed [220682]. The National Police have also deployed search and rescue (SAR) teams with K-9 units trained to detect people trapped under debris [220664].

The Ministry of Social Affairs has mobilized emergency teams and relief supplies worth more than Rp4.5 billion, including food, tents, blankets, and hygiene kits [219704]. Social workers and psychologists have been sent to provide trauma counseling for survivors, especially children, while mobile kitchens have been set up to serve hot meals to displaced families [219704]. The ministry is also preparing financial compensation packages for victims, coordinated with local authorities to ensure the funds reach the right recipients [220660].

Public Works Minister Dody Hanggodo has pledged to speed up the restoration of road access, prioritizing the clearance of blocked routes so that food, water, and medical supplies can reach isolated communities [220665]. Coordinating Infrastructure and Regional Development Minister Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono confirmed that emergency response teams are already on the ground, with instructions for all relevant agencies to work together to ensure aid reaches victims without delay [220667]. Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Pratikno has also departed for NTT, accompanied by the head of the national disaster management agency, to assess damage and coordinate the government's response [219725].

President Prabowo is considering a trip to the quake zone to directly oversee relief efforts, though no specific date has been announced [220642]. Logistical aid from the president has already arrived in Maumere, Sikka, with basic food packages being distributed to affected residents [220662]. Ministers and deputy ministers will also lead Independence Day flag-raising ceremonies in NTT, combining national celebrations with the ongoing earthquake response to show solidarity with the hardest-hit areas [220646].

Authorities continue to assess the full scale of the damage, with officials urging residents to stay alert for possible aftershocks [219703]. The government has pledged continued support as recovery efforts begin [219704].