Stakeholders Join Hands in Post-Disaster Relief Operation

Head of the National Agency for Disaster Management (BNPB) Doni Monardo inspects the disaster-hit area in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), Tuesday (06/04). Photo by: BNPB/Apri Setiawan

Cooperation between stakeholders in disaster management in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) and West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) has been running very well, according to Head of the National Agency for Disaster Management (BNPB) Doni Monardo.

“In general, the on-the-ground operation runs well. The cooperation between the Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI), the Indonesian National Police (Polri), and regional governments has run very well. The cooperation is also supported by local volunteers and today or tomorrow a number of volunteers from several regions will come,” Doni said after attending a virtual limited Cabinet meeting, Tuesday (06/04).

Doni has been at the disaster area since Monday (05/04) and immediately worked hand in hand with a number of stakeholders, including Ministry of Social Affairs, Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing, Ministry of Health, the TNI, the Polri, regional governments, and local volunteers in conducting search and recovery measures.

He further explained that there were eleven areas in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) and one area in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) affected by flash floods due to the Seroja Tropical Cyclone that occurred a few days ago.

The areas are Kupang, East Flores Regency, Central Malaka Regency, Lembata Regency, Ngada Regency, Alor Regency, East Sumba Regency, Rote Ndao Regency, Sabu Raijua Regency, South Central Timor Regency, and Ende Regency in East Nusa Tenggara, and Bima Regency in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB).

Doni added that Lembata Regency and Adonara Island in East Flores Regency were the worst affected areas.

“The Regent has said that 224 units of houses are heavily damaged in Lembata, 15 units are moderately damaged, and 75 units are lightly damaged,” he said.

The head of the BNPB also reported that 81 people died from the disaster, 25 people were injured, and 103 people were declared missing. The data is subject to change in line with the ongoing process of searching for, evacuating, and rescuing victims.

“The data is collected from regional governments, from regencies/cities and provinces, as well as from the TNI and the Polri,” Doni said (DND/ UN) (RI/LW)