President Prabowo Subianto visited survivors of the earthquake in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) and asked them directly whether the government's free nutritious meal program, known as MBG, should continue, according to Kompas.com.
During the visit, Prabowo expressed condolences to those affected by the disaster and inquired about the meal program's status, CNBC Indonesia reported. The president also emphasized that the government would continue assisting the victims, according to Tribrata News.
The earthquake in NTT has displaced many residents, with survivors currently sheltering in temporary evacuation centers. Prabowo's visit was part of the government's response to the natural disaster, which he described as a natural problem that requires vigilance, Kompas.com reported.
The free meal program, a flagship initiative of the administration, has been a topic of discussion in the context of disaster response. By asking survivors directly whether they want the program to continue, Prabowo signaled that the government is considering how to adapt the initiative to the needs of those affected by the earthquake.
The visit comes amid broader efforts by Indonesia to strengthen disaster monitoring capabilities. In a separate development, Prabowo expressed support for the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysical Agency (BMKG) in helping Fiji and Timor-Leste enhance their disaster early warning systems, according to detikNews.
The government's response to the NTT earthquake will continue to be monitored, with the question of the MBG program's future in the affected region remaining open. Observers will be watching for further announcements on how the administration plans to support recovery efforts while maintaining its social programs.
