URGENT: Indonesia M7.7 Earthquake -- Children and Communities Need Life-Saving Help Now
World Vision (known locally as Wahana Visi Indonesia) has launched an emergency response following a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck off the coast of Indonesia’s Flores Island at approximately 5:00 a.m. local time on Saturday. At least 38 people have been confirmed dead, thousands of children and their families have been displaced, and strong aftershocks continue to affect communities across the island.
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Fatalities have been reported across East Nusa Tenggara Province. Approximately 2,000 people have fled their homes. Search and rescue teams continue efforts to reach isolated communities cut off by landslides and damaged roads. Rescue operations remain ongoing as authorities work to determine the full scale of the disaster.
The earthquake struck about 30 km northeast of Nagekeo Regency at a depth of 15 km. More than 40 aftershocks have since been recorded, several measuring above magnitude 5, increasing fear among affected families and hampering response efforts.
Angelina Theodora, National Director of Wahana Visi Indonesia, said: "Currently, we are supporting response efforts by distributing shelter kits to help affected children and families stay at temporary shelters. Our thoughts and prayers are with those facing the challenges ahead, especially children and the most vulnerable, as we stand together with compassion and resilience."
Fransisco Fernando, Disaster Management Manager for Wahana Visi Indonesia, said: "Our hearts go out to all those who have lost loved ones, homes and livelihoods in this devastating earthquake. Children and their families across Flores are facing enormous uncertainty as aftershocks continue and rescue efforts race against time to reach isolated communities."
"We are particularly concerned for children. Many have experienced terrifying shaking, rushed evacuations, and the loss of the places where they normally feel safe. Thousands of people remain displaced, while reports indicate damage to schools, homes, and health facilities. Experiences like these can have a profound impact on a child's sense of safety and wellbeing."
Wahana Visi Indonesia has been working in the affected areas of Flores for many years through child sponsorship and community development programmes. The organisation operates in Manggarai, West Manggarai, East Manggarai, Ende, Ngada and Nagekeo through programmes supported by World Vision Korea, Germany, Australia, and Singapore as well as locally supported initiatives.
Response efforts are expected to focus on:
Emergency shelter and non-food items
- Clean water and hygiene support
- Child protection and child-friendly spaces
- Psychosocial support for children and families
- Multi-purpose cash assistance
- Community recovery and early recovery activities
The earthquake may further exacerbate pre-existing vulnerabilities across Flores, including water scarcity, food insecurity, malnutrition, and mental health and child protection concerns. Continued El Niño conditions also heighten the risk of crop failure, further worsening household food insecurity.
WVI teams have already started responding and have distributed approximately 100 shelter kits, with more to come from available supplies. Immediate needs identified include shelter, water, health support, child protection, and psychosocial support. Assessment teams have also been deployed and are coordinating with local authorities, humanitarian partners, church networks, universities and community-based organisations to assess needs and support affected communities.
Fernando said: "While search and rescue efforts remain the immediate priority, it is also critical that children have access to protection, psychosocial support and the basic assistance they need to recover."
ENDS
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