Nagekeo, East Nusa Tenggara. President Prabowo Subianto said Wednesday that he deliberately delayed his visit to Flores after a powerful earthquake struck the Indonesian island, arguing that a large influx of senior officials could distract local authorities and emergency workers from delivering aid.

Prabowo said disaster response should focus on the needs of affected communities rather than officials’ visits, which can require local authorities to divert resources to hosting and accompanying visiting officials.

“I wanted to give all agencies the opportunity to directly serve the people,” Prabowo said during a disaster coordination meeting at an emergency response post in Nagekeo regency, East Nusa Tenggara, on Wednesday.

He said excessive visits by central government officials could split the attention of local authorities, who may have to spend time receiving and accompanying officials instead of managing relief operations.

“The focus can sometimes be diverted,” he said.

Prabowo said government visits to disaster zones should also be accompanied by concrete assistance and solutions.

“If we come only to see the disaster but cannot address it or send assistance, then it is ultimately not very effective,” he said.

The president said the central government would continue monitoring the response and ensure that aid and essential services reached affected communities.

The death toll from the magnitude-7.7 earthquake that struck East Nusa Tenggara on Aug. 15 has risen to 105, according to the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB).

Rp20 billion aid for affected districts

Prabowo also confirmed that emergency funding of Rp20 billion ($1.1 million) for each affected district in Flores had been distributed to local governments.

During the meeting, Prabowo asked BNPB chief Lt. Gen. Suharyanto whether the funds had reached the affected districts.

“They have arrived. We have also told the regents that the assistance may not be used for anything other than disaster response,” Suharyanto said.

East Nusa Tenggara Governor Melki Laka Lena said every district on Flores had received Rp 20 billion, while the provincial government received Rp 40 billion.

He said the funding would help local authorities provide essential supplies and strengthen relief efforts for residents and displaced people.

Flores Timur district also received assistance despite not being directly affected by the earthquake because it has been dealing with the ongoing eruption of Mount Lewotobi for about two years, Melki said.

Beyond central government funding, the provincial government has also sought support from residents and businesses to maintain supplies in affected areas.

Local authorities have asked shops and kiosks to provide food, drinks, blankets, and mattresses, with the government pledging to cover the costs.

The measures are intended to ensure residents affected by the earthquake have access to basic necessities during the emergency response and recovery period.

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