Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin deployed an A400M transport aircraft to carry 20.9 tons of humanitarian assistance to East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) province, according to SINDOnews Nasional. The aid shipment was dispatched following a powerful earthquake that struck the Flores region.
The delivery comes as Indonesia marked its 81st Independence Day on August 17, with government officials using the occasion to emphasize the ongoing emergency response efforts in the disaster zone. The 7.7-magnitude earthquake in Flores has displaced residents, with reports indicating that people are sheltering in evacuation centers in areas such as Reok.
SINDOnews Nasional reported that the defense minister personally accompanied the aid mission aboard the A400M aircraft. The transport plane, a European-made military cargo aircraft, was chosen for its ability to carry substantial payloads to remote or damaged airfields.
The humanitarian shipment is part of a broader government response to the earthquake. According to the National Disaster Management Authority (BNPB), officials marked the Independence Day anniversary at the disaster site to underscore their commitment to accelerating emergency handling operations. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform noted that Independence Day brought a sense of hope to those in the Reok evacuation camps.
In a related development, the Deputy Governor of West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) held joint prayers and traditional competitions with communities from Bima, Dompu, and NTT to mark the national holiday. Communications and Digital Affairs Minister also participated in Independence Day celebrations, calling for solidarity with NTT victims during a digital-themed carnival.
The use of the A400M highlights the military's role in disaster logistics. Observers will be watching whether additional aid flights are scheduled as the full scale of damage in Flores becomes clearer.
