Yorrys Calls for Faster Response to NTT Earthquake Victims

JAKARTA, Aug. 16, 2026 — Indonesian Regional Representative Council (DPD) Deputy Speaker Yorrys Raweyai called on the central and local governments to accelerate relief efforts for victims of a powerful earthquake in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), urging authorities to ensure residents receive essential supplies.

Yorrys expressed condolences over the earthquake that struck NTT early Saturday (Aug. 15) and called for stronger coordination among government agencies in responding to the disaster.

“The government must ensure that every victim receives assistance,” Yorrys said in a written statement on Sunday.

He urged authorities to provide healthcare, food, clean water and adequate shelters, while ensuring protection for vulnerable groups. Residents were also urged to rely on official information from Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysical Agency (BMKG), National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) and local authorities to prevent panic and the spread of unverified information.

BMKG reported that the magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck at a depth of 15 km, with its epicenter about 30 km northeast of Mbay in Nagekeo district, NTT.

BNPB reported at least 38 people had died and dozens were injured, while thousands of residents had evacuated amid concerns over further impacts from the earthquake. (gus)