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🇧🇩 Bangladesh /Disasters & Emergencies

Indonesian earthquake survivors await aid amid ruins, frustration grows

From Daily Star · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News From a news agency Ongoing story
  • A 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Flores Island in eastern Indonesia, killing 53 people and injuring over 100.
  • Over 12,800 people are displaced and seeking aid, camping in temporary shelters due to damaged homes.
  • Survivors express frustration over the slow arrival of government aid, contrasting with Independence Day celebrations in Jakarta.

Thousands of people displaced by a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake in eastern Indonesia are awaiting much-needed aid, camping out at schools, police stations, and government offices. The quake, which struck Flores Island early Saturday, has killed 53 people and injured more than 100, with rescue officials reporting no missing persons.

Our houses are no longer liveable, because many have collapsed and are full of cracks, so we can't go inside anymore.

— JunaidinA resident of Mbay describing the condition of his home after the earthquake.

By Monday morning, the number of displaced individuals had risen to 12,800 across several towns on Flores Island. Many survivors spent a second night in makeshift tents, fearing aftershocks and unable to return to their homes, which have collapsed or are severely cracked. "Our houses are no longer liveable, because many have collapsed and are full of cracks, so we can't go inside anymore," said Mbay resident Junaidin, 32.

Survivors like Junaidin expressed frustration with the perceived delay in aid delivery, especially as the nation celebrated Independence Day. "As for help from the government, there hasn't been any -- no tents, no medicine, no food, no drinking water, nothing," he stated, appealing to the government to provide support. Many residents have traumatic memories of a similar 1992 earthquake that caused a tsunami and killed approximately 2,500 people.

As for help from the government, there hasn't been any -- no tents, no medicine, no food, no drinking water, nothing.

— JunaidinA resident expressing frustration over the lack of government aid following the earthquake.

The Indonesian Air Force is airlifting 13 tons of emergency aid, including food, clothes, clean water, and medical supplies, via transport planes and helicopters to reach isolated communities. The military has also deployed personnel to assist with distribution. However, for locals like Siti Saudah Daso, a 31-year-old mother of three, the provisions are not arriving fast enough. "We fled with nothing. Just the clothes on our backs. We're victims; we're going through a disaster," she said, expressing disappointment with the lack of visible aid.

We fled with nothing. Just the clothes on our backs. We're victims; we're going through a disaster.

— Siti Saudah DasoA mother of three describing her situation after fleeing her home due to the earthquake.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Daily Star in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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