By Gabriel Abdi Susanto
Caritas Indonesia has mobilized the Catholic Church’s humanitarian network across dioceses in response to the powerful magnitude 7.7 earthquake that struck Flores, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), early Saturday morning, triggering a tsunami and causing damage in several areas.
The earthquake struck at 04:58:24 WIB, with its epicentre located approximately 30 kilometres northeast of Mbay, Nagekeo. The earthquake generated a tsunami, with the highest recorded sea-level change reaching 0.94 meters in Maurole, Ende. The tsunami warning was officially lifted at 07:31:30 WIB, after remaining in effect for approximately two hours and 33 minutes.
Initial reports indicated that the earthquake was strongly felt across Flores and parts of Sumba, Adonara and Solor. Areas including Nagekeo, Ngada, Ende, Sikka, Manggarai and Manggarai Barat have been identified as priorities for further assessment. As of the reporting cut-off, official consolidated data on casualties, injuries, displaced people and damaged houses was still being verified.
According to preliminary data from National Agency for Disaster Management (BNPB) on Aug 15, afternoon, 38 people had been reported dead. Damage was also reported to infrastructure, including the reported collapse of Lorenz Say Port and damage to the Pelni passenger terminal in Maumere. Reports of damaged houses and public buildings, as well as possible rockfalls, are still undergoing verification.
Caritas activates Church-wide response
Caritas Indonesia immediately coordinated with the dioceses of Ruteng, Labuan Bajo, Kupang, Maumere and Ende to monitor the situation and assess the impact in their respective areas.
“Caritas Indonesia is responding swiftly to the earthquake disaster in East Nusa Tenggara as part of the humanitarian responsibility of the Catholic Church in Indonesia,” said Fr Fredy Rante Taruk, Executive Director of Caritas Indonesia.
He said Caritas had coordinated with diocesan Caritas teams and the Socio-Economic Development Commission (PSE) to ensure that an immediate response could be carried out.
“As of today, the mobilization of volunteers and Caritas teams in each diocese is already underway, including providing assistance and supporting evacuation efforts for people affected by the earthquake,” he added.
The response is being carried out under the principle of “One Church, One Response,” bringing together different components of the Catholic Church to work collaboratively in a spirit of fraternity and solidarity.
“Caritas is mobilizing all components of the Church to work together, creating synergies and supporting one another so that we can respond to the humanitarian situation quickly, effectively and reach the people and communities affected,” Fr Fredy said.
Parishes mobilized
The local Churches in the affected dioceses, with the support of their bishops, have also encouraged parishes to take an active role in the emergency response.
According to the Caritas situation report, parishes have been asked to coordinate locally and gather information on the impact of the disaster in their respective communities, before reporting it to the diocesan level.
Caritas Ruteng, for example, has already evacuated patients from the local Regional General Hospital (RSUD) and established emergency tents for patients as a precaution against aftershocks and possible damage to hospital buildings.
Caritas Indonesia has also activated its Karina Emergency Response Network (KERNET) WhatsApp group as a central platform for information-sharing and emergency coordination among the Caritas network.
Following coordination with dioceses across NTT, Caritas Indonesia has decided to implement the response through the national Caritas Indonesia network and activate the National Emergency Response Solidarity Fund (Dana APP Tanggap Darurat Nasional). Caritas Indonesia has also activated the Crisis Response Team (CRT) of the Diocese of Maumere to support the response in Sikka Regency.
Immediate needs
The initial assessment by the Caritas network has identified several urgent needs, including evacuation and safety support, clean water, ready-to-eat food, shelter kits, hygiene kits, emergency health services and support for vulnerable groups such as children, older people, pregnant and breastfeeding women, people with disabilities and those requiring regular medication.
Caritas is also emphasizing the importance of reliable information and coordination down to the parish level, particularly as aftershocks continue and misinformation can create additional risks for affected communities.
Fr Fredy stressed that the Church’s response is not limited to Caritas as an institution but involves the entire Church community.
“One Church, One Response” is therefore becoming the guiding spirit of the Catholic humanitarian response: dioceses, parishes, Caritas teams, volunteers and other Church components working together so that assistance can reach those most in need as quickly as possible.
The situation remains dynamic, and Caritas Indonesia will continue to update information as rapid assessments and official data from government agencies and the Caritas network become available. – Vatican News
