There are days when we talk about Flores because of its mountains.
Its beaches.
Its villages.
Its beautiful landscapes.
But today is different.
Today, Flores is hurting.
On August 15, 2026, a magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck the Flores region of East Nusa Tenggara.
The earthquake triggered a tsunami warning that was later lifted.
But the damage left behind is real.
As of August 17, at least 68 people had lost their lives.
More than 1,300 homes were damaged across East Nusa Tenggara, with nearly 250 destroyed on Flores alone.
Around 5,000 people were forced into temporary shelters.
At least 213 people were injured.
And the situation is still developing as search, rescue, and recovery efforts continue.
A Disaster Beyond the Numbers
Behind every number is a person.
A parent.
A child.
A friend.
A neighbor.
A family that suddenly lost the place they called home.
For many survivors, the earthquake has also brought back painful memories of Flores' history with devastating earthquakes and tsunamis.
Thousands of people are still sleeping outside because they fear the continuing aftershocks.
Authorities recorded 1,576 aftershocks by Monday, although only a small proportion were felt by residents.
The Road to Recovery Is Not Easy
Some communities remain difficult to reach.
Landslides and damaged roads have slowed the delivery of essential supplies.
Communication problems have also made coordination more difficult in some areas.
People need food.
Clean water.
Medicine.
Shelter.
And above all, they need to know that they have not been forgotten.
But help is moving.
Nearly 1,500 military and police personnel have been deployed across the disaster zone.
Ten aircraft are supporting the distribution of around 275 tons of aid.
Emergency hospitals have also been established in Ruteng after local medical facilities were damaged.
Rescue teams continue working to reach communities that were isolated by landslides and damaged roads.
Flores Is More Than Its Landscapes
Our first story on this account was about the beauty of Flores.
And that beauty has not disappeared.
The mountains are still there.
The sea is still there.
The villages are still there.
But Flores is not only its landscapes.
Flores is also its people.
And when its people are hurting, their story deserves to be heard.
That is why this account will not only show the beautiful side of Flores.
We will also remember the difficult moments.
Because telling the story of a place means telling the whole story.
Not only the sunsets.
Not only the beaches.
Not only the mountains.
But also the people who live among them.
Today, We Remember
To everyone who lost a loved one, we send our deepest condolences.
To those who are injured, displaced, or still waiting for help, we hope assistance reaches you as quickly as possible.
To the rescuers, medical workers, volunteers, local communities, and everyone working on the ground — thank you.
Flores will need time to heal.
But Flores is not alone.
Today, before we talk about where to travel next, perhaps we should simply remember the people of Flores.
Because sometimes, the most important story about a beautiful place is not how beautiful it is.
It is how strongly its people stand together when everything around them shakes.
Stay strong, Flores. 🙏🌿
What can we do as a community to help the people of Flores recover and rebuild?
Posted Using INLEO
