Flores earthquake survivors sue government over delayed aid and shelter conditions

After a magnitude-7.7 earthquake struck Flores Island in August, killing 48 people, survivors and NGOs have intensified criticism of the government's slow response. A legal notice has been filed accusing President Prabowo Subianto’s administration of negligence, citing poor conditions in evacuation shelters such as insufficient food, clothing, sanitation and medical care. WALHI’s legal manager Christine Constanta told reporters that 108 people died in shelters in late September, and that around 450 self-built tents in Ende were omitted from the National Disaster Mitigation Agency’s (BNPB) evacuee database, leaving occupants without aid.

BNPB’s dashboard lists about 28,000 displaced residents, primarily in East Manggarai, Manggarai and Sikka, but reports no figures for Ende. The agency explained that most shelter deaths involved elderly individuals with chronic illnesses, and that health authorities are providing maximum care. The legal action underscores growing frustration over what is described as a humanitarian crisis and state negligence.