Indonesia Earthquake Survivors Face Protracted Displacement and Water Crises Six Weeks On

• A 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck near Flores island on August 15.
• Tens of thousands of homes were damaged, displacing thousands.

Six weeks after a devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck near Flores island, thousands of survivors remain displaced, grappling with trauma, destroyed livelihoods, and critical water shortages.

In the Nagekeo district, 38-year-old Sahria Lelu and her family continue to shelter in a tent outside a mosque. “What prevents us from going back home is that we are still traumatised, very traumatised,” she said. While food aid and volunteer support have arrived, the constant threat of aftershocks—numbering roughly 15,000 since the initial tremor—keeps residents from returning to damaged structures. The quake triggered a tsunami alert, and Sahria fears further tremors could unleash dangerous waves.

According to National Disaster Mitigation Agency spokesman Berton Panjaitan, over 46,000 houses were damaged and nearly 28,000 people remained displaced as of September 24. Although this figure is lower than previous estimates exceeding 150,000, many who have technically returned home opt to camp outside, fearing structural collapse from ongoing seismic activity. The government reports 151 fatalities.

Drinking Water at Risk

The crisis is acute in Flores’s Sikka district, where 59-year-old weaver Maria Onselia has lost her income. “We are struggling to eat,” she said. “In this season, it’s hard to get water. We have to buy water before we can buy rice.” Like many, she refuses to sleep in her damaged home.

On the neighbouring volcanic island of Palue, home to roughly 10,000 people, the situation is dire. Teacher Methildus Nestor Langga, 40, reported that all water storage tanks were destroyed. Residents are forced to purchase water or collect condensation from geothermal steam using bamboo poles. “What concerns us… is clean, drinking water shortages, because currently it is completely dry,” Langga said.

Nagekeo deputy district head Gonzalo Gratianus Muga Sada stated the government aims to complete 314 temporary housing units by late November. Disaster agency spokesman Berton added that more than 2,400 permanent homes are planned to replace heavily damaged structures.

Recovery remains distant for many. Sahria’s husband lost his car and bike repair shop, forcing her to sell fish to support the family and cover school fees. “Please help us to get back on our feet,” she appealed.

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