Bank Indonesia dispatches 32.5 tons of quake aid to East Nusa Tenggara

Jakarta — — Bank Indonesia says it has released 32.5 tons of humanitarian assistance for communities affected by the recent earthquake in East Nusa Tenggara, sending supplies in three stages through the National Disaster Management Agency’s logistics post at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base in Jakarta.

The aid is targeted at residents on Flores Island and nearby areas, including Pulau Palue in Sikka Regency and communities in Ende and Nagekeo Regencies, according to Bank Indonesia’s official statement and local media reports.

Bank Indonesia describes the assistance as part of its emergency response to the quake, aimed at supporting immediate relief needs and subsequent recovery rather than replacing losses suffered by residents.

Three-stage delivery totalling 32.5 tons

In a news release, Bank Indonesia said the humanitarian shipment reached a combined 32.5 tons, distributed in three consignments between 24 and 31 August 2026.

The first stage left on Monday, 24 August 2026, carrying 8.5 tons of supplies focused on urgent post-disaster needs, including medicines, bottled water, ready-to-eat food and hygiene kits, transported using seven trucks.

The second stage was sent on Thursday, 27 August 2026, with 9.7 tons of basic food items and drinking water loaded on one commercial truck, according to press coverage of the operation.

The third stage departed on Monday, 31 August 2026, and comprised 14.3 tons of tents, folding beds, generators, additional medicines and ready-to-eat food, dispatched using three commercial trucks from the Bank Indonesia Museum area to the BNPB post at Halim.

Local media put the aggregate weight at 32.576 tons, slightly rounding down the figure to 32.5 tons in line with Bank Indonesia’s communications.

Cash supply maintained during emergency

Alongside the logistics shipments, Bank Indonesia has sought to ensure that cash remains available in East Nusa Tenggara during the emergency period.

Ramdan Denny Prakoso, executive director of Bank Indonesia’s communications department, said the central bank has coordinated with its representative office in NTT to safeguard cash supply for residents in affected districts.

According to his remarks reported by Indonesian media, the measure includes strengthening cash inventories to support banking services as communities deal with the impact of the earthquake.

Detailed information on individual bank branches, specific towns or automated teller machines receiving additional cash has not been disclosed in the statements reviewed.

Ceremonial send-off in Jakarta

Bank Indonesia held a handover and departure ceremony for the third-stage shipment at the Bank Indonesia Museum in Jakarta’s Kota Tua area on Monday, 31 August 2026.

During the event, Prakoso said the assistance was intended to ease the burden on residents affected by the quake, acknowledging that relief supplies cannot fully replace what communities have lost.

The ceremony marked the completion of the three-stage delivery, with the central bank emphasizing that the aid had been tailored to evolving needs across different phases of the emergency.

Focus on Flores and surrounding districts

Bank Indonesia’s release and multiple media reports state that the aid is directed to earthquake-affected areas on Flores Island and neighbouring districts, including Pulau Palue in Sikka Regency as well as Ende and Nagekeo Regencies.

The material reviewed does not break down tonnage or items by district, nor does it provide a separate operational status update for banking services in individual towns such as Labuan Bajo or other parts of Flores.

Authorities and financial institutions have indicated, however, that cash availability in NTT as a whole remains secure as the humanitarian response continues.

Sources

• Bank Indonesia – Bantuan Kemanusiaan Bank Indonesia Bagi Korban Gempa Bumi Nusa Tenggara Timur
• Katadata – Bank Indonesia Salurkan 32,5 Ton Bantuan untuk Korban Gempa NTT
• Liputan6 – Kiriman 32,5 Ton Bantuan BI, Menyambung Harapan Korban Gempa NTT
• Pasardana – Peduli Gempa NTT, Bank Indonesia Salurkan Bantuan 32,5 Ton Secara Bertahap