Government Ensures Rapid, Coordinated Response to Flores Earthquake

The Government has affirmed its commitment to a rapid, coordinated, cross-sectoral response to the earthquake that struck Flores in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) province.

Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi (08/15) underscored that the Ministry had reported the latest development in post-disaster mitigation to President Prabowo Subianto and coordinated with several related institutions.

“We have reported to the President this morning and also coordinated with Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Cultural Affairs. We also coordinated with Head of the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), Head of Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), which has issued an early warning about the potential for a tsunami,” he said.

The Minister added that the rapid measures taken by central and regional governments included disaster mitigation efforts.

Personnel of the Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI) and the National Police (Polri) also made significant contribution to mitigation measures and emergency-response operation, particularly in addressing conditions during the disaster’s initial phase, he added.

Prasetyo went on to say that the Government’s top priority in its post-disaster response is to ensure that victims are evacuated and rescued swiftly. Relevant institutions have also discussed measures for residents whose homes were damaged and may no longer be habitable.

On that occasion, the Government also extended deep condolences for the victims. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat) (RAS/MEP)