In the aftermath of a massive 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck eastern Indonesia this past Saturday, nearly 13,000 residents on Flores island have been left homeless. The disaster, which resulted in 53 deaths and over 100 injuries, has forced survivors to take shelter in makeshift camps at schools and government buildings. Many locals are choosing to sleep outside, terrified to return to their homes as hundreds of aftershocks continue to rattle the region, reviving traumatic memories of a similar deadly quake that devastated the island in 1992.

Frustration is mounting among survivors who feel abandoned by the government, noting a lack of basic necessities like food, clean water, and medical supplies while the capital celebrates Independence Day. In response, the Indonesian Air Force has begun deploying transport planes and helicopters to airlift over 13 tonnes of emergency aid to isolated communities. While rescue teams continue to scour the wreckage to ensure no one remains trapped, the damage to infrastructure is severe, with hundreds of homes and public facilities rendered unusable, leaving thousands—including over 8,000 children—in a state of urgent need.