Earthquake response and recovery in Nusa Tenggara

Following recent earthquakes in Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT) and West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), Indonesian authorities are focusing on data collection, document replacement, and educational recovery.

Minister of Home Affairs Muhammad Tito Karnavian has directed local governments to accelerate the gathering of data on damaged infrastructure, including houses, schools, health facilities, and places of worship. To assist victims, the Ministry of Home Affairs is providing free re-issuance of essential identity documents, such as electronic IDs, birth certificates, and family cards, utilizing digitized data and face recognition technology. Coordination is also planned with the Ministry of Agraria and Spatial Planning/National Land Agency (ATR/BPN) for land documents, and with police for vehicle-related papers like driver’s licenses and registration.

In the education sector, Rycko Menoza of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) has called for an immediate inventory of affected teachers, staff, and students to protect children’s educational rights. He emphasized the need for temporary learning spaces, such as emergency tents, to ensure continuity of learning.

Expanding on these efforts, the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has announced significant aid for the Ngada and Nagekeo regencies in NTT. Minister Abdul Mu’ti announced Rp305 million in bereavement compensation for deceased teachers and students, alongside assistance for the injured. Furthermore, Rp860 million in cash vouchers has been prepared for the revitalization of 61 damaged schools.

New financial aid programs have been launched to support students. BAZNAS RI announced a scholarship program for 1,000 students from NTT, providing Rp1 million per student monthly for three months, specifically targeting those studying outside the affected region. Additionally, the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Kemdiktisaintek) is providing one-semester tuition fee (UKT) waivers for 5,000 affected students. Minister Brian Yuliarto stated the ministry may extend the waiver for an additional semester if necessary.