Kemenag Sends Rp3 Billion, 16 Temporary Classrooms to Flores Quake Victims

Labuan Bajo — Indonesia’s Ministry of Religious Affairs said it has sent Rp3 billion in emergency aid, 16 temporary learning spaces and 100 school kits to communities affected by the Flores earthquake, with deliveries centered on Labuan Bajo in Manggarai Barat, East Nusa Tenggara.

The assistance was handed over by Minister Nasaruddin Umar at Madrasah Aliyah Negeri Manggarai Barat on Thursday, Sept. 3, according to reports from Detik, RRI and local outlet KabarSulut. The ministry said the package is meant to keep classes running while damaged facilities are assessed, rather than to fund permanent rebuilding at this stage.

Emergency response

Fransiskus Kariyanto, head of the ministry’s regional office in East Nusa Tenggara, said relief had reached six affected areas: Ende, Nagekeo, Ngada, East Manggarai, Manggarai and West Manggarai. According to Detik and RRI, the distribution also included support for religious institutions, houses of worship and ministry staff whose homes were damaged.

KabarSulut reported that the ministry also provided special compensation to families of madrasah students who died in the quake, though the report did not specify the number of families or the size of the payments.

The emergency education package includes 16 Temporary Learning Space units and 100 school kits, intended to help students continue learning while schools are repaired or rebuilt. Detik also reported that the ministry’s aid was not earmarked for rebuilding damaged structures.

Damage assessment

Reports cited by local media said the earthquake damaged 509 houses of worship, seven government offices, 12 Offices of Religious Affairs and one office of the Forum for Religious Harmony. The figures were presented as part of the ministry’s initial assessment of religious and government facilities in Flores.

The same reports said the broader response also involved the Ministry of Immigration and Corrections, which sent 20 tonnes of rice and other assistance to Flores, with correctional facilities in Ende, Bajawa and Ruteng among those affected.

Officials have not announced a reconstruction timetable in the reports reviewed, and the immediate focus remains on emergency relief and keeping education services operating in the affected areas.

By Sept. 3, the ministry said its assistance had already reached six parts of Flores, as damage assessments and relief deliveries continued across the island.

What was delivered

• Rp3 billion in emergency aid
• 16 temporary learning spaces
• 100 school kits
• Support delivered to six affected areas

Sources

• Detik
• Metro TV
• RRI
• KabarSulut
• Info Mabar — Manggarai Barat Regency Government