Maumere: Thousands of children in eastern Indonesia are facing serious disruption to their education and daily lives after a powerful earthquake struck the region, leaving dozens of people dead, hundreds injured and thousands displaced from their homes.
The magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck on Saturday, August 15, with Flores and surrounding areas among the hardest hit. The death toll has risen to at least 68, while 213 people have been injured. Nearly 13,000 people have been forced to leave their homes as rescue teams continue working in communities affected by landslides and damaged roads.
The disaster has created particular concern for children, who are among the most vulnerable people affected by the crisis. More than 8,000 children and adolescents in East Nusa Tenggara province are currently unable to attend school because of the damage and disruption caused by the earthquake and its aftershocks.
More than 900 homes have been damaged, while at least 87 schools and 18 health centres have also been affected. For many families, the destruction has meant losing a safe place to live, while children have lost access to classrooms, teachers and the routine that normally provides stability in their lives.
The situation is even more difficult because many communities in the region were already facing other challenges. Drought associated with the El Niño weather pattern has affected local families, while volcanic activity and risks linked to Mount Lewotobi have added further pressure. The combination of these problems is increasing concerns about children's health, education and emotional wellbeing.
Humanitarian organisations are now working to assess the needs of affected families and provide immediate assistance. Save the Children, together with the local organisation Circle of Imagine Society Timor, is examining the situation in communities affected by the earthquake. Their response will focus not only on immediate relief but also on helping children return to education and supporting families whose livelihoods have been damaged.
Fadli Usman, Director of Humanitarian Response and Resilience at Save the Children Indonesia, said children were among those facing the greatest risks following the disaster. Humanitarian workers are concerned that the effects of the earthquake could continue long after the immediate emergency has passed.
Children who lose access to school for a long period can face several additional risks. These include malnutrition, child labour and early marriage. Emotional distress and fear can also remain long after the physical damage has been repaired. For this reason, humanitarian groups say that rebuilding schools alone will not be enough. Children also need psychological support, protection and safe spaces where they can recover from the trauma.
The Catholic Church is also taking part in the emergency response. Caritas Indonesia has activated its humanitarian network across dioceses affected by the earthquake, including Ruteng, Labuan Bajo, Kupang, Maumere and Ende.
Volunteers and diocesan teams are assisting affected communities and supporting evacuation efforts. Parishes are also collecting information about the needs of families so that assistance can be directed to places where it is most urgently required.
Drinking water, food, temporary shelter and hygiene supplies are among the immediate priorities. Healthcare is also urgently needed, particularly for people who have been injured or whose access to medical services has been disrupted. Special attention is being given to children, older people, pregnant women and people with disabilities.
Caritas Indonesia is coordinating the response under the principle of One Church, One Response. The approach brings together dioceses, parishes, volunteers and other Church structures to provide assistance as quickly and effectively as possible.
Father Fredy Rante Taruk, Director of Caritas Indonesia, said the Church's structures were being mobilised to ensure that assistance reaches communities affected by the disaster.
Meanwhile, the earthquake emergency has been complicated by another strong tremor. On the morning of August 18, a magnitude 6.1 earthquake was recorded off the coast of Sumatra at a depth of about 29 kilometres. The additional earthquake has added to concerns in a country that frequently experiences powerful seismic activity.
For families in Flores and other affected areas, however, the most immediate challenge is rebuilding their lives. Many people are still living away from their homes, while damaged schools and public facilities make it difficult for communities to return to normal.
For children, the priority is clear. They need safe places to learn, protection from exploitation and abuse, access to food and healthcare, and emotional support as they cope with the experience.
The earthquake has therefore become more than a disaster measured by damaged buildings and displaced families. It has also interrupted the education and future of thousands of children. Humanitarian organisations and the Catholic Church are working to ensure that the disruption does not become a long term setback for a generation already facing difficult conditions.