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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Disasters & Emergencies

Indonesian Air Force flies 81.3 tons of aid to earthquake-hit NTT

From Republika · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • The Indonesian Air Force deployed six aircraft to deliver 81.3 tons of aid to earthquake-affected areas in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).
  • The aid, including food, tents, generators, and SAR equipment, was flown to Labuan Bajo and Maumere.
  • The earthquake has displaced over 5,000 people, claimed 47 lives, and caused extensive damage to buildings in NTT.

The Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU) is continuously transporting aid from its disaster response post in Halim Perdanakusuma to areas in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) impacted by a recent earthquake. To expedite the distribution of relief supplies via air, six TNI AU aircraft were dispatched on Monday to Labuan Bajo and Maumere.

The fleet comprised two C-130J Super Hercules, one C-130 Hercules, one Airbus A400M, and two Boeing 737 aircraft. Air Force Information Service Chief Marsma TNI I Nyoman Suadnyana stated that this deployment aims to accelerate disaster response efforts and meet the needs of the affected population. The C-130J Super Hercules aircraft carried 13,500 kg and 13,563 kg of aid respectively to Labuan Bajo and Maumere. The C-130 Hercules transported 13,504 kg to Labuan Bajo, while the Airbus A400M delivered 20,779 kg to the same destination. The two Boeing 737s each carried 10,000 kg of aid to Maumere.

The deployment of TNI AU aircraft is a form of support to accelerate the distribution of aid to the affected communities.

— Marsma TNI I Nyoman SuadnyanaAir Force Information Service Chief, explaining the purpose of the aircraft deployment.

In total, the six aircraft transported approximately 81.3 tons of essential supplies. These included basic necessities, tents, generators, medicines, and search and rescue (SAR) equipment. Nyoman emphasized that the TNI AU is optimizing its air support to ensure humanitarian aid reaches the affected communities promptly. The earthquake has forced over 5,000 residents of NTT to evacuate their homes. The disaster has also resulted in 47 fatalities and widespread damage to infrastructure.

The largest concentration of displaced individuals is in Sikka Regency, with 3,356 people sheltering in the Samador Sports Hall and an additional 2,000 staying in various locations. Manggarai Regency hosts 2,078 evacuees. Smaller numbers are also reported in Nagekeo, Bima, and the Selayar Islands.

TNI AU continues to optimize air support to ensure humanitarian aid arrives quickly and can be utilized by the communities affected by the disaster in NTT.

— Marsma TNI I Nyoman SuadnyanaAir Force Information Service Chief, on the ongoing efforts to deliver aid.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Republika in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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