A powerful magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck eastern Indonesia on 15 August 2026 at approximately 05:58 local time, with the epicentre off the northern coast of Flores Island in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).

The latest reports indicate 53 people killed and around 135 injured. Rescue teams are still searching affected areas, so the figures may increase.  the time of this alert, a consolidated official figure for the total number of people affected, displaced persons and damaged houses is not yet officially available, and the overall scale of the humanitarian impact therefore cannot yet be fully quantified. The preliminary situation report from the NTT Provincial BPBD Operations Control Center (Pusdalops) records 38 casualties across several regencies, including Sikka (3), West Manggarai (1), Manggarai (6), and East Manggarai (3)[1]. The total number of injured persons is still being verified.

According to media and local reports, around 5,000 people have been moved to temporary shelters or are staying outdoors because of continuing aftershocks and unsafe buildings. More than 1,350 houses have been damaged, including hundreds that were destroyed or severely damaged.  Schools, health facilities, government buildings and other public infrastructure have been damagedStructural damage has been reported across several regencies, affecting residential buildings, public facilities, roads and other critical infrastructure

The ACT Indonesia Forum convened a meeting and engaged with local volunteers and affected communities to conduct a rapid needs assessment. The assessment will help identify the most urgent needs and priorities of the affected population.

Based on the findings, ACT Alliance members are planning to access the ACT Rapid Response Fund (RRF) to provide timely, life-saving assistance to the most vulnerable affected people.