President Jokowi Orders Relief For NTT Province to Be Stepped Up

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo has ordered the restoration of access to areas of East Nusa Tenggara province [NTT], after flash floods, landslides and other natural disasters from Cyclone Seroja left hundreds dead and missing since last weekend.

“I have asked Minister of Public Works and Housing or PUPR [Basuki Hadimuljono] to bring heavy machinery to pave a land route to the stricken parts [of NTT]. I also ordered air and sea routes to be prepared, in case land routes could not be penetrated,” said Jokowi on Tuesday.

Indonesian military chief Air Force Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto reiterated the president.

“I have ordered the navy to deploy the KRI Oswald Siahaan-354 to provide supplies from the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Social Affairs for those stricken by the flash floods in NTT,” he said in a written statement.

 Also read: Flash Floods, Landslides Kill Dozens in Indonesia's East Nusa Tenggara

“I also ordered two C-130 Hercules from Jakarta and East Java, as well as helicopters to airlift supplies to the flash flood victims, as well as two battalions from Bali and South Sulawesi to help evacuate [displaced persons] and provide first response units. The latter will also clear rubble from the floods.”

The National Agency for Disaster Countermeasures [BNPB] also deployed to NTT following Jokowi’s order to send more SAR [Search and Rescue] teams to areas stricken by flash floods and landslides, such as NTT’s Lembata and Adonara districts in Flores island.

ANTARA FOTO/HUMAS BNPB A number of houses and vehicles were damaged by flash floods in Waiburak Village, East Adonara District, East Flores, NTT, Sunday, April 4.

“The flash floods and landslides killed at least 81 people and left 103 others missing. But this data is liable to change,” said BNPB head Doni Monardo.

“The flash floods also destroyed 500 homes and forced us to relocate hundreds of people. The Ministry of Social Affairs and the National Police also organized field kitchens in displaced persons at nearly every displaced persons camp.”

Also read: Indonesia Highlights: President Jokowi Gives Cash to Indonesian Terror Suspect's Wife Who Faces Financial Hardships | Heavy Machinery Needed to Evacuate Landslide Victims in Indonesia's East Flores | Indonesian Minister Urges Investigation Into Balongan Refinery