Thousands Await Aid in Indonesia After Powerful Earthquake Kills at Least 68

Thousands of Indonesians on the island of Flores are desperately awaiting aid two days after a powerful earthquake devastated the region. The Saturday morning quake claimed at least 68 lives, injured over 200 people, and reduced thousands of homes to rubble.

As Indonesia marked its 81st Independence Day on Monday, many residents on Flores grappled with mourning victims while military teams worked to deliver essential supplies like food, clean water, and clothing to cut-off communities. The earthquake's impact was widespread, with collapsed buildings, shattered homes, and debris blocking roads, creating a scene of significant destruction.

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My house is just rubble now. We need food, medicine and clean water urgently.

President Prabowo Subianto acknowledged the disaster during the national Independence Day ceremony in Jakarta, calling for prayers for those affected. The National Disaster Management Agency reported that over 4,500 homes were damaged, forcing approximately 19,000 people into temporary shelters. Essential facilities, including health centers, schools, and places of worship, also sustained damage.

The province's governor declared a 14-day state of emergency on Sunday. Despite numerous aftershocks, authorities are working to overcome logistical hurdles to reach affected communities. The government has deployed over 1,800 military and police personnel, supported by aircraft and vessels, to distribute more than 100 metric tons of emergency aid. However, the scale of the devastation and the challenges in reaching remote areas mean many survivors are still in urgent need of basic necessities.

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Thousands await aid amid devastation