Human Initiative details post‑quake response after 15 August Flores tremor

Labuan Bajo — Human Initiative says it began deploying emergency teams one day after the 15 August 2026 Flores earthquake and is continuing needs assessments in several affected districts in Nusa Tenggara Timur, according to a radio report from RRI Ende on 19 September 2026.

The 15 August quake, measured at magnitude 7.7 and centred about 30 kilometres northeast of Nagekeo at a depth of 15 kilometres, triggered a tsunami warning and caused damage in parts of Flores including Maumere, Manggarai Barat and Labuan Bajo, according to the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG).

In its coverage titled “Human Initiative Percepat Respons Pascagempa Flores”, RRI reports that Human Initiative’s Emergency Response Commander, Subur Rojinawi, said the organisation’s team started moving “sehari setelah gempa terjadi” — one day after the earthquake.

Rojinawi told RRI Pro 1 that two staff were dispatched on the night of 15 August and travelled to Kupang before moving on to other parts of Flores to carry out assessments and early relief.

Initial deployment and routes

According to RRI, Human Initiative’s first deployment involved two personnel leaving on the night of 15 August for Kupang, where they then continued their journey toward areas closer to the epicentral region.

The report describes access difficulties that required the team to move through Larantuka, Maumere, Bajawa and Nagekeo in order to reach communities affected by the quake.

BMKG data indicate that the strongest shaking, up to intensity VII on the Modified Mercalli scale, was recorded in parts of Manggarai Barat, Manggarai, Manggarai Timur, Nagekeo and Sikka, with structural damage reported in Maumere and Labuan Bajo.

Aid delivered and current priorities

Human Initiative’s early work focused on people who had evacuated independently in Maumere, where the organisation delivered basic supplies over a period of two to three days, according to RRI.

Items distributed included tarpaulins and staple food, described by Human Initiative as initial assistance pending more detailed assessments of conditions on the ground.

Following the activities in Maumere, the team moved toward Bajawa and Nagekeo, where Rojinawi said staff were continuing to collect data on residents’ needs rather than distributing larger quantities of aid without field information.

RRI notes that Human Initiative characterises its approach as based on needs, meaning the type and destination of assistance are determined by assessments carried out by its teams in affected areas.

Coordination around the wider response

Separately, RRI reporting from Sikka describes local government and humanitarian organisations strengthening coordination for the broader Flores earthquake response, including data sharing and role division to ensure aid matches conditions in the field.

That report refers to a coordination post at Universitas Nusa Nipa Maumere involving multiple organisations, though it does not specify Human Initiative’s role in that particular structure.

BMKG has said national and local authorities are collaborating on recovery and reconstruction after the 7.7-magnitude quake, using field survey results and intensity maps to guide mitigation and rebuilding efforts.

Key facts on the Flores earthquake

• Earthquake date and time: 15 August 2026, 04:58 WIB.
• Magnitude: 7.7, shallow tectonic event linked to the Flores Back-Arc Thrust.
• Epicentre: around 30 km northeast of Nagekeo, Nusa Tenggara Timur, at 8.41°S and 121.39°E, depth 15 km.
• Impacts: damage to houses and infrastructure in Maumere, Manggarai Barat and Labuan Bajo; BMKG reported at least two fatalities.

BMKG ended the tsunami early warning at 07:30 WIB on 15 August, after monitoring showed no dangerous rise in sea level along affected coasts.

As of mid-September, Human Initiative’s emergency teams were still in the field in Flores, with RRI reporting that assessments and targeted assistance were ongoing in several districts.

Sources

• RRI Ende – "Human Initiative Percepat Respons Pascagempa Flores"
• BMKG – "BMKG Akhiri Peringatan Dini Tsunami Pasca-Gempa M7.7 NTT, Masyarakat Diimbau Tetap Tenang dan Waspada" (news)