East Nusa Tenggara rice reserves sufficient for one year of earthquake relief

The Indonesian National Food Agency (Bapanas) has confirmed that rice reserves in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) are sufficient to meet the needs of earthquake victims for at least one year. Head of Bapanas, Andi Amran Sulaiman, stated that there are currently 39,000 tons of government rice reserves available in the region.

With approximately 34,600 displaced persons requiring about 300 tons of rice per month, the current stock is projected to be more than adequate. Amran emphasized that no one should go hungry due to administrative delays or logistical challenges, instructing teams to use land, sea, or air transport to reach difficult locations.

Following directives from President Prabowo Subianto, the government has already distributed approximately 6,000 tons of rice to affected areas. In Manggarai Regency, an additional 15 tons were delivered on August 20, 2026. Bapanas teams are operating 24-hour aid posts to monitor food needs and ensure continuous supply.