RI reaffirms accelerated response to NTT quake, Kalimantan wildfires

Indonesian officials reiterated their commitment to expediting disaster response efforts after a powerful earthquake struck the NTT province and amid ongoing wildfires in Kalimantan. Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto confirmed this during a press briefing in South Tangerang, Banten, on Friday, emphasizing the government’s focus on both immediate relief and long-term mitigation strategies. The magnitude 7.7 earthquake hit NTT on Saturday, August 15, causing significant damage and resulting in 83 fatalities as of Friday, August 21, according to the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB). In addition to the seismic crisis, the country faces a severe wildfire outbreak in Kalimantan, exacerbated by the El Niño weather pattern, which has led to prolonged dry spells and increased fire risk. Officials highlighted that these fires are disrupting regional economic activities, prompting urgent action. Airlangga stated that relevant ministers had conducted site visits to assess the situation firsthand. He noted that the government is intensifying its efforts to suppress the fires, deploying 12,880 personnel across Kalimantan. These teams are working in key regions including West, Central, and South Kalimantan, employing a range of tactics such as routine patrols, hotspot monitoring, direct firefighting, peatland rewetting, and cooling operations to prevent re-ignition. Additional water sources have been created through drilling and well activation in priority areas. The government has also allocated financial resources to address the crises. Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa announced that Rp44 billion (approximately US$2.49 million) has been disbursed to support disaster response in NTT, sourced from emergency relief funds transferred to local authorities in early August 2026. This funding aims to provide immediate assistance to affected communities. Purbaya emphasized that further allocations could be made depending on assessments of the evolving conditions and available budgets. In parallel, the military has played a crucial role in supporting firefighting operations. According to reports, the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) have mobilized 14,167 soldiers to assist with extinguishing the fires. Additionally, the BNPB has deployed helicopters to aid in combating forest fires in both Sumatra and Kalimantan, enhancing the capacity to reach remote and hard-to-access areas quickly. Meanwhile, Vice President Gibran Mukti has assured the public that aid will be distributed equitably to all victims of the NTT earthquake. His statement underscores the government’s intent to ensure that no community is left behind in the recovery process. Officials continue to monitor the situation closely, with regular updates being issued on the progress of both the earthquake response and fire suppression efforts. The government remains vigilant, aware that the challenges posed by the current climate conditions require sustained attention and coordinated action across multiple agencies and levels of governance. As the situation evolves, the focus remains on minimizing loss of life, restoring essential services, and safeguarding livelihoods. With continued coordination among government bodies, international partners, and local communities, the hope is to mitigate the impacts of these dual disasters effectively.