Press Statement of President of the Republic of Indonesia on Disasters in East Nusa Tenggara and West Nusa Tenggara Provinces Monday 5 April 2021, at the Courtyard of the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta

Journalist

Pak President, what is your response regarding the disasters occurred in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) and West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) provinces due to extreme weather?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

Yes. I have received a report from Head of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), saying that flash floods and landslides had occurred in East Nusa Tenggara and West Nusa Tenggara Provinces.

First of all, on behalf of myself and the people of Indonesia, I would like to extend my deepest condolences for the victims who died in this tragedy. And, I also understand the sorrow that our brothers and sisters experience due to the aftermath of this disaster.

Therefore, I have ordered Head of the BNPB, Head of the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), Minister of Social Affairs, Minister of Health, and Minister of Public Works and Public Housing, as well as Commander of the Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI) and Chief of the National Police to quickly evacuate and handle the disaster victims, as well as handle the impact of the disasters. I urge that disaster management to be quickly and well carried out , including health service assistance, logistics availability and basic necessities for the refugees, as well as infrastructure improvements.

I appeal to the public to follow directions from the officers on the ground and always stay alert to floods and landslides due to increasing frequency of extreme rainfall. Do always pay attention to early warnings from the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) and local authorities.

I thank you. (SA/MMB)