Indonesia’s Baznas provides clean water to quake survivors in Flores

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2 hours ago

Jakarta (ANTARA) – Indonesia’s National Alms Agency (Baznas) has stepped up its contribution to ongoing disaster relief efforts in earthquake-hit East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) by distributing clean water to survivors in East Flores District.

Idy Muzayyad, Baznas’ head of distribution, utilization, and empowerment, said in a statement here Wednesday that the distribution of clean water was part of efforts to ensure that quake-hit residents could meet their basic needs amid the hardship.

“We hope this aid will ease survivors’ burden and help them get through the emergency response period,” he said.

He emphasized that Baznas remains committed to providing humanitarian assistance to people affected by disasters, adding that its relief efforts are tailored to survivors’ actual needs.

“In this situation, it is crucial that people’s needs become our shared concern. Baznas will continue to coordinate with relevant parties and strive to provide the assistance actually needed on the ground,” Muzayyad said.

In addition to expanding access to clean water, he said, the philanthropic agency has been involved in distributing food and other logistical supplies, setting up public kitchens, providing health services, and constructing emergency mosques.

“We are providing these various services to help meet people’s basic needs and support survivors throughout the emergency response period,” Muzayyad said.

The Indonesian government promptly launched disaster relief operations after a magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck several districts across Flores Island on Aug. 15, with President Prabowo Subianto immediately dispatching senior officials to NTT.

“We have been in NTT since day one to assess the situation and discuss ways to accelerate recovery efforts,” Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Pratikno said in Manggarai District on Aug. 17.

Baznas was among numerous state institutions mobilized to provide immediate assistance to quake-hit communities.

Baznas Head Sodik Mudjahid said on Aug. 19 that the agency had launched relief missions focused on distributing food and other essential supplies, setting up evacuation tents, providing medical services, and helping restore schools, mosques, and sanitation facilities.

In a separate statement, he said Baznas had begun constructing three makeshift mosques as temporary replacements for damaged places of worship in NTT.

Two of the makeshift mosques are intended for quake-hit Muslim communities in two villages in Nagekeo District, while the third is intended for residents in East Manggarai District.