Prabowo Reviews Flores Quake Response as Basic Services Resume

Labuan Bajo — President Prabowo Subianto chaired a limited meeting via video conference on Monday, 7 September 2026, to review the government’s earthquake response in Flores, East Nusa Tenggara, as basic services in the affected areas largely resumed, according to the Cabinet Secretariat and the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB).

The meeting was held from Merdeka Palace in Jakarta, with officials and responders in Nusa Tenggara Timur joining remotely to report on the 24-day emergency operation following the 15 August magnitude 7.7 earthquake.

BNPB head Suharyanto told the President that emergency response activities had run smoothly through the fourth week after the disaster, supported by continued distribution of logistical aid to communities and displaced residents, according to his report cited by national broadcasters and online media.

According to the Cabinet Secretariat, logistical support is being channelled through village and subdistrict structures to residents via designated logistics posts, while authorities continue to verify needs at neighbourhood and community level.

Both the Cabinet Secretariat and BNPB reported that key public services have generally returned to operation. Electricity supply has been largely restored, with thousands of distribution substations back in operation and power reconnected for hundreds of thousands of customers. Telecommunications services have also resumed, with affected base transceiver stations and fixed broadband connections brought back online.

Fuel supplies, clean water, road access and healthcare services were described as largely normal. National and regency roads in the impacted areas have reopened, while access routes at subdistrict and village level are reported to be functioning, allowing the movement of people and goods.

BNPB and other agencies said education services have begun to resume through emergency schools and temporary facilities. Teaching and learning activities are being conducted in tents and other provisional classrooms to avoid prolonged disruption for children in affected communities.

Residents return, public life resumes

Reports to the President indicated that residents whose homes suffered minor and moderate damage have started to return, reducing the number of people in displacement sites compared with the early days after the quake. BNPB stated that the decline in evacuees reflects families moving back to their houses as repairs and safety checks progress.

Suharyanto also noted that traditional markets are operating again and that religious services and social activities have resumed, signalling a gradual normalisation of daily life in parts of Flores.

The Cabinet Secretariat said health facilities, including hospitals and community health centres, are again providing services, supported by remaining field hospitals and emergency tents in areas where buildings were damaged. Psychosocial support and trauma-healing programmes continue for residents affected by the disaster.

Provincial planning for recovery

East Nusa Tenggara Governor Emanuel Melkiades Laka Lena has previously stressed that local governments must accelerate damage assessments, health services and preparations for rehabilitation and reconstruction so that no communities are left behind as the emergency phase is phased out.

Provincial authorities have coordinated with district governments across Flores to plan the gradual reopening of schools at all levels, using tailored methods and materials and taking into account students’ psychological conditions and safety.

The governor has also called for continued support to health facilities still operating with temporary structures and tents, and for sustained assistance to residents as the region moves from emergency response into longer-term recovery.

According to the Cabinet Secretariat, the provincial government, BNPB, the Regional Leadership Coordination Forum, the Indonesian National Defence Forces, the National Police and relevant ministries are continuing to coordinate the response. The central government has pledged to maintain monitoring and support until daily life and economic activity in Flores return to normal, and to follow up with rehabilitation and reconstruction of damaged infrastructure and public facilities.

Sources

• Cabinet Secretariat of the Republic of Indonesia – President Prabowo Subianto Reviews Flores Earthquake Recovery as Essential Services Resume
• TVRI Nasional – Ribuan Pengungsi Gempa Flores Dipulangkan Bertahap
• RRI English Service – BNPB Says Basic Services in East Nusa Tenggara Gradually Recover After Earthquake
• Bisnis.com – BNPB: Gempa Flores Mulai Menurun, Pengungsi Tinggal 72.864 Jiwa
• VoxNTT – Gubernur NTT: Gempa Boleh Mengguncang, tapi Jangan sampai Ada Warga yang Tertinggal
• The Independent Observer – Prabowo Oversees Flores Post-Quake Recovery to Ensure Life Returns to Normal