KADIN delivers earthquake aid to 25 sites in West Manggarai

Labuan Bajo — The Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN) has delivered earthquake relief to 25 locations across three subdistricts of West Manggarai, distributing food and basic supplies from 5 to 12 September 2026, according to the organisation’s local chapter and public radio reports.

The aid operation was coordinated through the West Manggarai KADIN branch and led by its chairman, Charles Angliwarman, who joined the team on the ground in Pacar, Kuwus and Kuwus Barat in East Nusa Tenggara.

According to a report by Radio Republik Indonesia, the team travelled in two trucks through areas described as having difficult road conditions to reach scattered communities affected by recent earthquakes in Flores.

RRI’s coverage states that the relief packages consisted of basic necessities including rice, milk, instant noodles, sugar, cooking oil, sarongs and tarpaulins.

The operation involved coordination between KADIN Indonesia, KADIN East Nusa Tenggara and the West Manggarai chapter, with Angliwarman describing the distribution as a form of moral responsibility to ensure assistance reached residents directly.

Residents sheltering outside damaged homes

During the distribution, KADIN staff observed residents who remained outside their houses or in evacuation posts because of damage to homes caused by the earthquakes, according to the RRI report.

The broadcaster noted that some families were staying under simple tarpaulin shelters and included pregnant women and children exposed to cold night conditions.

Angliwarman was quoted as saying the situation was difficult and that people in the affected areas continued to experience trauma in the aftermath of the quakes.

The team also held joint prayers with residents at several distribution points.

Relief amid thousands of aftershocks

The KADIN distribution took place while aftershocks were still being recorded in Flores following a major earthquake in mid-August.

A national media outlet, citing data from Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), reported that Flores had experienced more than 13,000 aftershocks following a magnitude 7.7 earthquake that struck the island on 15 August 2026.

BMKG’s own bulletin on an M5.1 earthquake off northern Manggarai on 8 September 2026 said the tremor was felt at intensity IV on the Modified Mercalli scale in several areas of Manggarai and neighbouring districts.

Another BMKG-analysed event on 18 September 2026, a magnitude 4.7 quake north of Ruteng, was felt at intensities III–IV MMI in Manggarai and at intensity II MMI in parts of West Manggarai, including Kuwus and surrounding areas.

BMKG has stated that these quakes did not trigger a tsunami, but their cumulative impact has kept communities in parts of West Manggarai on alert and contributed to prolonged displacement.

Scope of aid not yet quantified

While KADIN has confirmed reaching 25 locations across Pacar, Kuwus and Kuwus Barat with truck-borne supplies, neither the organisation’s statements nor available reporting specify the number of households assisted or the total volume and value of goods delivered.

The RRI article does not provide a breakdown of recipients at each point or detailed information on damage to housing and infrastructure in the three subdistricts.

Other government and media reports on the Flores earthquake response describe broader aid efforts in Manggarai and West Manggarai, including distributions by the Ministry of Social Affairs and other agencies, but do not give additional detail on KADIN’s specific programme beyond what has been reported.

Available accounts emphasise KADIN’s role in delivering emergency relief to affected communities rather than longer-term business recovery measures such as grants, loans or support for tourism and other enterprises in the three subdistricts.

Sources

• RRI.co.id - "KADIN Salurkan Bantuan untuk Korban Gempa di Tiga Kecamatan Manggarai Barat"
• Tribunnews - "Gempa Susulan Flores Capai 13.156, Tanah Terbelah, Kuburan Terbongkar, Peti Mati Terlihat"
• BMKG - "Gempa Bumi M5,2 – 60 km BaratLaut MANGGARAITIMUR-NTT"
• Headline.co.id - "Kemnaker Salurkan Bantuan Rp119,7 Juta untuk Korban Gempa Flores"