‘We’re on our own’: Indonesia quake survivors plead for aid as 12,800 remain displaced

Jakarta, August 17 - Survivors of a 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck eastern Indonesia are pleading for aid as they continue to live in makeshift shelters, with 12,800 displaced individuals dispersed among towns on Flores island. The disaster, which killed 53 and injured over 100, has left many without homes due to collapsed buildings and aftershocks.

Many residents, like Junaidin, have traumatic memories of a similar 1992 quake that resulted in a tsunami and over 2,500 fatalities. Junaidin expressed frustration at the slow arrival of aid, demanding immediate assistance from the government with tents, medicine, food, and clean water. The Indonesian Air Force responded by airlifting 13 tons of emergency supplies, including food, clothes, and medical equipment, and deploying helicopters to reach remote areas.

Local residents, including Mbay resident Siti Saudah Daso, remain upset, stating that despite promises of aid, they have received little or nothing. Rescue efforts continue, with search and rescue officials conducting land and air operations to locate any remaining missing persons. The epicenter of the shallow quake was off Flores' north coast, affecting at least 914 homes severely and hundreds of others partially. The NGO Save the Children warned that over 8,000 children face safety risks and disrupted education.