Government Prepares 8 Strategic Steps for NTT to Recover from Earthquake Immediately

Head of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), Lieutenant General TNI Suharyanto. (Photo: Presidential Secretariat Press, Media, and Information Bureau)

MANGGARAI BARAT - Pemerintah menyiapkan delapan langkah strategis untuk segera memulihkan kondisi Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT) pasca-diguncang gempa. Gempa Magnitudo 7,7 melanda Pulau Flores, NTT, pada Sabtu (15/8) pagi.

The head of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), Lieutenant General TNI Suharyanto, said these eight strategic steps must be immediately executed.

"In order to accelerate evacuation, logistics fulfillment, to the initial recovery of the affected area," said Suharyanto when leading a coordination meeting with all levels of ministries/institutions and local governments at the West Manggarai Regent's Office, NTT, Sunday (16/8).

The first step, the central government encourages local governments in six severely affected districts, namely Manggarai, Manggarai Timur, Ngada, Ende, Nagekeo, and Sikka; and the NTT Provincial Government to immediately issue an official emergency status determination.

According to Suharyanto, the certainty of the legal status of this emergency is very vital so that BNPB, the Ministry of Public Works (PU), and related institutions have a legal umbrella to channel maximum budgetary support and technical assistance to the affected areas.

"Please, today, the emergency status should be immediately issued. This emergency status is needed so that BNPB, related ministries/institutions from PU and so on, can help as much as possible," said Suharyanto.

In line with the determination of the status, in the second point, the Head of BNPB asked for the acceleration of the formation of Task Force Posts (Posko) at the district/city level to the province by optimizing the role of the TNI-Polri elements as task force commanders.

According to him, the establishment of this regional emergency post is crucial so that all tactical movements, refugee arrangements, and distribution of logistics at the local level can be controlled in one integrated command.

"The Regent can appoint the Commander of the TNI and Polri Unit as the field commander. Including the Governor, to control the affected districts, please also immediately form a provincial post," said Suharyanto.

Logistic assistance for NTT earth quake victims was sent by air fleet. (Photo: Presidential Secretariat Press, Media, and Information Bureau)

Furthermore, the third step is that the Head of BNPB directly commands the establishment of the National Assistance Main Post in Labuan Bajo and the Tactical Post in Maumere. The division of these two operational areas is designed to reach all affected districts in western and eastern Flores quickly, precisely, and evenly.

"We formed the first Provincial Assistance National Post, the center of which is here, in Labuan Bajo. Then because of the wide area, we also opened a Post in Maumere to serve Sikka, Nagekeo, and Ngada. These two points are hoped to accelerate all steps in handling disasters," he explained.

To ensure the availability of logistical assistance from outside the region, in the fourth point, BNPB coordinated the opening of the National Logistics Post at Halim Perdanakusuma, Jakarta. This centralized shelter is tasked with receiving and distributing various types of assistance from ministries, institutions, SOEs, the private sector, and the general public directly to the reception point in Flores through air routes.

"People or parties who want to help, they can all go through the National Post which is now standing at Halim Perdanakusuma. Later from Halim to Labuan Bajo, it can also go to Maumere," said Suharyanto.

At the fifth point, regarding the safety of residents, Suharyanto instructed all joint teams under the coordination of Basarnas to lead the search and rescue (SAR) to ensure that no more victims were trapped or missing. This operation to sift through the ruins continues to be driven together with elements of the TNI, Polri, and volunteers until the affected location is declared completely safe.

"We ask the Head of Basarnas to lead the search and rescue process directly in accordance with the law. Please ask the TNI-Polri elements and volunteers to join under the leadership of the Basarnas," he said.

Sixth, the government targets the recovery of vital facilities such as the electricity network, clean water, fuel, and communication can function normally in a limited manner within seven days, while confirming that the data collection of damage to residents' homes is carried out in parallel without waiting for the emergency response period to be completed.

Early and rapid data collection is needed so that the scheme for the construction of Temporary Housing (Huntara) or home improvement can be immediately executed.

"I ask you not to wait until the emergency response is completed. Please start to be listed in parallel. Once it is clear, we will immediately determine the development, so that the data collection does not drag on again," said Suharyanto.

To support the smooth distribution of logistics to isolated areas, at point seven the Head of BNPB coordinated the deployment of cross-agency alutsista, including the TNI's helicopter and sea vessel fleet, Basarnas, and BNPB. All air and sea alutsista are fully focused on penetrating the most difficult points to transport food, blankets, and refugee tents.

"From the TNI there are four helicopters and sea vessels, Basarnas deployed ships and aircraft, and BNPB two wide-wing aircraft and one helicopter. This alutsista we focus on for the distribution of logistics," he said.

And the eighth point, the Head of BNPB instructed the operation of the official Media Center which held a regular press briefing every afternoon at 17.00 WITA. The presence of this media center is intended to present data updates transparently from day to day (day-to-day) as well as dampen the confusion of information and disinformation in the community.

"What often happens related to the confusion of information in the field can be minimized by providing official information every afternoon," said Suharyanto.