President Jokowi Inspects Earthquake-Hit Palue Island, Distributes Aid Directly

President Joko Widodo of Indonesia visited Palue Island in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) to directly inspect the conditions of residents affected by an earthquake in August 2026. During the visit, the President reviewed evacuation sites and distributed aid to the affected population. President Jokowi arrived at Uwa Port on Palue Island at approximately 18:45 WITA on Wednesday, September 16. He was welcomed by the local adat chief with a traditional dance and a special Palue cloth. Residents around the port also enthusiastically welcomed the President's arrival, with many earthquake victims showing great enthusiasm to see the former president. Herman Yosef Soru, the head of the Tone Langga Customary area, expressed his gratitude for the President's visit, stating, "Thank you, sir, for coming here. You came here with your love. We are grateful that you came in good health and arrived safely," as quoted by Antara on Thursday, September 17. While on Palue, President Jokowi is scheduled to visit several locations affected by the earthquake. A key agenda item is the inspection of the evacuation post in Rokirole Village, Palue District. Here, he is scheduled to symbolically hand over aid to residents who are still displaced. The President is also slated to spend the night with residents at the evacuation site. This agenda is aimed at directly assessing the conditions of the community still impacted by the disaster and understanding the needs of those in evacuation. In addition to meeting residents, President Jokowi is scheduled to inspect facilities damaged by the earthquake, including the Lei Parish Church in Tuanggeo Village. This church is one of the buildings that sustained damage, and its inspection will help ascertain the building's condition and the earthquake's impact on community infrastructure. President Jokowi's visit to Palue is therefore not merely a visit of brotherhood. The primary focus is to review the situation of earthquake-affected residents, observe the extent of damage on the ground, and ensure that assistance reaches the community that still requires it. Accompanying President Jokowi on this visit were his youngest son, Kaesang Pangarep, who is the General Chairman of the PSI DPP; Grace Natalie, Secretary of the PSI DPP Board of Trustees; and Juventus Prima Yoris Kago, the Regent of Sikka. Information Source: VOI English