Baznas Secretary Subhan Cholid said the agency prioritized food assistance to meet the immediate needs of survivors during the emergency phase.
“The Baznas Disaster Response (BTB) team has been deployed to assist earthquake survivors in Flores. During the emergency response period, our focus is to ensure their safety and access to proper food,” he said in a statement from Jakarta on Wednesday.
He said BTB personnel had set up public kitchens in Terong and Hamahala Villages in East Adonara Subdistrict, while also supporting evacuation efforts and clearing debris in affected areas.
Cholid added that Baznas is coordinating with the local disaster mitigation agency (BPBD) and volunteers to ensure aid reaches all affected residents.
“In addition to distributing food, Baznas is also monitoring urgent needs through on-field assessments conducted by the BTB team to ensure aid is delivered accurately,” he said.
Initial assessments showed the quake damaged at least 224 homes and three public facilities, with impacts ranging from minor to severe across several villages, including Lahamala Jaya, Motonwutun, Dawataah and Karing Lamalouk.
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He said around 1,100 residents had been displaced, taking shelter in evacuation centers and with relatives.
“We hope this assistance can ease the burden on survivors and support recovery efforts,” Cholid said, while urging the public to keep affected communities in their thoughts.
On Monday (April 13), the East Flores BPBD reported that nearly 2,000 people across 13 villages on two islands were affected by the quake. It said 18 people sustained minor injuries and no fatalities were recorded.
The same day, Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf mobilized his ministry’s local office to distribute essential aid to affected communities.
The ministry has delivered 600 ready-to-eat meals, 400 children’s meal packages, 500 side dish packages, 100 mattresses and blankets, 100 family kits, 194 clothing packages, 100 folding tents and two multipurpose tents, among other supplies.
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Translator: Sean Filo, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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