Indonesia Accelerates Disaster Aid for Earthquake-Hit Flores Region
Indonesia's National Disaster Agency targets October for aid disbursement to 44,767 households affected by the major Flores earthquake.
MATARAM — Indonesia's National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) has ordered the immediate disbursement of recovery funds for over 44,000 households displaced by a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck East Nusa Tenggara in August. The recovery effort, focused on seven districts across the island of Flores, aims to clear all administrative bottlenecks for financial stimulus and housing assistance by the end of October 2026.
Lieutenant General Suharyanto, head of the BNPB, confirmed that verification for light and moderate damage claims is nearly complete. “I have directed that these funds be distributed and made accessible to eligible residents as quickly as possible this October,” Suharyanto stated on Thursday, Oct. 2. The assistance includes 15 million IDR (approximately 920 USD) for light damage and 30 million IDR (roughly 1,840 USD) for moderate repairs, with funds deposited directly into recipients' bank accounts.
Housing Recovery Initiatives
For those whose homes were destroyed, the agency is deploying a mix of temporary shelters (huntara) and permanent housing units (huntap). Residents unable to move into temporary shelters are eligible for a monthly housing waiting allowance of 600,000 IDR (approximately 37 USD) for a duration of three months. According to agency data from Sept. 29, 124 temporary shelters have been completed, while 861 are currently under construction.
Suharyanto emphasized that the government is offering three relocation options for permanent housing: communal relocation to new settlements, rebuilding on the original site, or independent construction on alternative plots owned by the survivors. Permanent homes are designed as Type 36 units, featuring two bedrooms, a living area, and a bathroom.
Scale of the Crisis
The earthquake has affected seven districts: Manggarai, East Manggarai, West Manggarai, Ende, Ngada, Sikka, and East Flores. As of Sept. 27, official data verified 44,767 damaged residential units. The financial scope for the housing waiting allowance alone is estimated at 136.27 billion IDR (approximately 8.36 million USD), targeting 4,008 individuals based on updates from late September.
With the emergency response phase concluding in Manggarai, East Manggarai, and Nagekeo as of Sept. 28, the focus has shifted entirely to long-term recovery. The government’s comprehensive strategy involves direct cash stimulus for repairs, the continued expansion of temporary shelters, and the rollout of permanent housing, marking a critical transition from immediate disaster response to community rehabilitation.
