Misleading2026-08
What is circulating
“After the magnitude 7.7 earthquake, East Nusa Tenggara Governor Melki Laka Lena told affected residents to buy food on credit at local shops.”
Claimed by Social media users · social media
The facts
A governor's circular did allow verified residents who could not afford basics to take food and supplies from shops for up to two days before aid arrived, but the shops record the goods and the provincial government pays the bill. Residents were not asked to take on personal debt, and the scheme ends once emergency aid is in place.