Fatma Saifullah Yusuf Leads Aid and Trauma Support for NTT Survivors

Labuan Bajo — The Ministry of Social Affairs and women’s and social organisations distributed assistance and compensation to around 400 disaster survivors from several parts of East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) during a social programme in Labuan Bajo on Wednesday, 16 September 2026, led by Fatma Saifullah Yusuf.

According to a report from Pos-Kupang, the activity in Labuan Bajo brought together basic food aid, cash compensation and child-focused trauma-healing sessions for people affected by earthquakes, floods and fires in districts including Manggarai, West Manggarai, Ngada and Nagekeo.

Fatma, adviser to the Dharma Wanita Persatuan (DWP) of the Ministry of Social Affairs and wife of Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf, said the psychosocial activities were intended to help children reduce distress linked to the disasters and regain confidence. She told local media that children appeared happy during games and entertainment and expressed hope they would return home with positive stories to share.

Compensation and material assistance

Media Indonesia reported that the government distributed compensation to families of people who died and to survivors who suffered serious injuries as part of a national social affairs programme for disaster victims. In her remarks, Fatma said heirs of each person who died received Rp15 million, while survivors with serious injuries were granted Rp5 million in assistance.

Coverage by RRI and Detik stated that the Ministry of Social Affairs channelled a total of about Rp609 million in support during the Labuan Bajo programme, including compensation for two heirs of people who died, assistance for 58 injured survivors, 300 food packages and 200 sets of school supplies. Additional support through the ministry’s Asistensi Rehabilitasi Sosial (ATENSI) programme included wheelchairs, hearing aids, nutrition packages and hygiene kits for elderly people and persons with disabilities affected by the disasters.

Fatma said the compensation and aid formed part of a broader government scheme for disaster survivors across Indonesia, delivered in collaboration with local governments and community groups. She emphasised that the programme is designed to help families cover basic needs and, in some cases, education costs for children of survivors.

Community involvement

Pos-Kupang reported that Fatma was accompanied by several social communities and women’s organisations during the aid distribution, including groups associated with PALAPA and DWP of the Ministry of Social Affairs, as well as local partners active in social work. These organisations contributed to the logistics, organisation of trauma-healing sessions and the provision of gifts and entertainment for children.

According to RRI, the assistance targeted vulnerable groups such as orphans, people with disabilities and older persons in areas hit by recent earthquakes, floods and fires in NTT. The symbolic handover took place in Labuan Bajo, with local authorities involved in forwarding compensation and other aid to beneficiaries in their respective districts.

Focus on child trauma healing

Media reports noted that beyond material support, the Labuan Bajo event placed particular emphasis on children’s psychosocial recovery. Fatma said moral and emotional support for disaster-affected children was essential to help them process traumatic experiences and feel safer in their communities.

Activities included games, storytelling and the distribution of gifts and school supplies, aimed at reassuring children and encouraging them to return to school. One survivor interviewed by RRI said the financial assistance from the ministry would help cover education costs for their child, underscoring the link between the aid programme and longer-term recovery for families.

Officials and organisers framed the Labuan Bajo programme as part of an ongoing national response to the NTT earthquakes and related disasters, combining immediate household support with targeted compensation and psychosocial assistance for survivors.

Sources

• Pos-Kupang
• RRI Ende
• Detik Bali-Nusra
• Media Indonesia