Ministry of Public Works enhances water and sanitation services for 2,623 earthquake refugees in Reok, NTT

Indonesia's Ministry of Public Works is intensifying its support for water and sanitation services to aid 2,623 individuals displaced by a recent earthquake in Reok, Manggarai Regency, Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT).

The ministry is prioritizing essential needs for survivors sheltering in two main evacuation centers: Posko Golo Conggo, which accommodates 1,111 people, and Posko Barangkolong, housing 1,512 individuals. Minister of Public Works Dody Hanggodo emphasized the ministry's commitment to optimizing existing facilities and deploying additional equipment as needed.

Since the earthquake on August 15, 2026, water supply at both posts has been supported by water treatment units from Pertamina and Brimob, with five units each capable of processing 1,000 liters. Water distribution is further managed by three water tank trucks from PDAM Komodo, utilizing water from the existing SPAM IKK Reok system.

To bolster service capacity, the ministry is dispatching more resources from Lombok to Reok. This includes four water tank trucks, a vacuum truck, a dump truck, five water treatment units, two portable latrines, and one Biority unit. These supplies are anticipated to arrive by Sunday evening (August 23, 2026) and will be deployed to the evacuation sites in coordination with local authorities.

Currently, evacuees are using temporary latrines and facilities from local residents. The arrival of portable latrines and vacuum trucks is expected to significantly improve sanitation services and waste management within the evacuation areas. The ministry is collaborating with various agencies, including the regional government, PDAM, BNPB, and the police and military, to ensure continuous support during the emergency response period.