Indonesia sends 50 tons of aid to quake-hit NTT by sea

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1 hour ago

Jakarta (ANTARA) – Indonesia’s Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries has deployed its surveillance vessel Orca 06 to transport around 50 metric tons of relief supplies from Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi, to earthquake-hit East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).

The shipment, consolidated by the ministry in collaboration with the Southeast Sulawesi provincial government, includes essential supplies such as food and medicines to help meet the basic needs of communities affected by the earthquake.

Marine Affairs and Fisheries Minister Sakti Wahyu Trenggono personally flagged off the vessel at Kendari’s Samudera Fishing Port on Monday, according to a press release cited in Jakarta.

The 50-ton shipment is expected to reach Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai, within two days before being distributed to affected areas across NTT.

Trenggono expressed his condolences to residents affected by the magnitude 7.7 tectonic earthquake, which struck Flores and surrounding islands early Saturday (Aug. 15), killing more than 50 people.

Urging the public to celebrate this year’s Independence Day with prudence, he called on Indonesians to show empathy for those affected by the disaster.

“Independence should be celebrated by being present for fellow citizens in need and working hand in hand to help them,” the minister said.

He added that the shipment from Kendari would be followed by further deliveries during both the emergency response and recovery phases to support relief efforts.

Among the next consignments, Trenggono said, are snacks, ready-to-eat meals, clothing, blankets, and portable generators, which will be transported from Jakarta to Flores.

In addition to distributing aid, he said his ministry had promptly established a task force, set up disaster response posts, coordinated with various parties, and collected donations for communities affected by the earthquake.

He described the efforts as a reflection of national solidarity, underscoring Indonesians’ enduring spirit of mutual cooperation in times of hardship.