Six weeks after a powerful earthquake struck near Flores Island, Indonesia, thousands of survivors remain displaced, living in temporary shelters as they grapple with the ongoing impacts of the disaster. The 7.7-magnitude quake on August 15 caused extensive damage across multiple districts, leaving tens of thousands of homes unsafe and disrupting essential services such as water supply.

Sahria Lelu, a 38-year-old resident of the Nagekeo district, described the emotional toll as a significant barrier to returning home. “What prevents us from going back home is that we are still traumatised, very traumatised,” she said. Although her family’s home was spared major destruction when ocean waters reached their area during a resultant tsunami alert, she remains cautious due to the nearly 15,000 aftershocks that have followed the initial quake. “Thank God, food is guaranteed here and there are volunteers to help us,” she added, describing the support available at a tent set up outside a local mosque where her family has taken refuge.

The National Disaster Mitigation Agency reported that the earthquake resulted in 151 fatalities and damaged more than 46,000 houses. According to agency spokesperson Berton Panjaitan, approximately 28,000 people were still displaced as of September 24. This figure represents a decrease from an earlier estimate of more than 150,000, but officials note it does not fully capture the ongoing situation, as many survivors who have returned to their homes remain reluctant to stay indoors due to fears of structural collapse triggered by continuing aftershocks.

In nearby Sikka district, 59-year-old Maria Onselia expressed the economic challenges facing many residents. She has struggled to find buyers for the fabric she weaves and described difficulties in accessing basic necessities. “In this season, it’s hard to get water. We have to buy water before we can buy rice,” she said, while also noting her reluctance to re-enter her damaged home.

Authorities are working to address the housing crisis by accelerating construction of temporary and permanent dwellings. Gonzalo Gratianus Muga Sada, deputy head of the Nagekeo district, stated that the government aims to complete 314 units of temporary housing by late November. Meanwhile, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency has plans to build over 2,400 permanent housing units to replace those destroyed or rendered uninhabitable by the earthquake.

The prolonged displacement highlights the complex challenges faced by communities recovering from the catastrophe, as they contend not only with physical reconstruction but also with psychological distress and disrupted livelihoods.