Caritas Indonesia has mobilized dioceses, parishes and volunteers nationwide after a magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck Indonesia’s Flores island, killing at least 53 people and forcing thousands from their homes.
Indonesia’s national disaster agency, BNPB, raised the death toll to 53 late Aug. 16, with 135 people injured. About 5,000 people fled their homes after the quake struck early Aug. 15 and was followed by nearly 1,000 aftershocks, Agence France-Presse reported.
Electricity and telecommunications were cut in some areas, while at least one emergency access road remained inaccessible.
Caritas Indonesia said it was coordinating with the dioceses of Ruteng, Labuan Bajo, Kupang, Maumere and Ende to assess damage, assist evacuations and organize relief operations.
“Caritas Indonesia responded quickly to the earthquake disaster in East Nusa Tenggara as part of the humanitarian responsibility of the Catholic Church in Indonesia,” said Father Fredy Rante Taruk, executive director of Caritas Indonesia.
“Today, the mobilization of volunteers and Caritas teams in every diocese is already underway, including providing assistance and supporting the evacuation process for communities affected by the earthquake,” he said.
The Catholic aid agency activated its national response under the “One Church, One Response” framework, bringing together dioceses, parishes, Caritas teams, volunteers and other Church groups.
“Caritas is mobilizing all components of the Church to work together, build synergy and help one another so that we can respond to the humanitarian situation quickly and effectively and reach the faithful and communities affected,” Father Fredy said.
Parishes in affected dioceses were asked to collect information on damage and humanitarian needs and report the findings to diocesan teams.
In the Diocese of Ruteng, Caritas helped evacuate patients from a local hospital and erected emergency tents as aftershocks continued and concerns grew over damage to the building.
Caritas also activated its Karina Emergency Response Network, a national emergency response fund, and the Diocese of Maumere’s Crisis Response Team to support operations in Sikka district.
Initial assessments identified urgent needs for clean water, ready-to-eat food, shelter and hygiene kits, emergency health services and assistance for children, older people, pregnant and breastfeeding women, people with disabilities and those requiring regular medication.
Residents in some areas said assistance had yet to arrive by Sunday.
BNPB said at least 914 houses were severely damaged, with hundreds of others suffering lesser damage. The quake also affected 93 educational facilities, 36 health facilities and 38 government offices.
At least five helicopters, several aircraft, a naval vessel and search-and-rescue ships were being sent to affected areas, according to the disaster agency.
The quake struck as Catholics were attending morning Masses for the Feast of the Assumption.
In a report by the Vatican’s Fides News Agency, Camillian missionary Father Luigi Galvani said that priests and worshippers rushed from churches when the shaking intensified.
“One of our Fathers was distributing Holy Communion when the tremor reached its maximum intensity. Shortly afterward, pieces of the roof fell precisely in the area of the altar. He was truly fortunate and, above all, we can say: thanks be to God, he was spared,” Father Galvani said.
He said a crucifix and several statues fell inside the church, including a statue of St. Joseph whose head broke off.
“Another of our Fathers told us that, seeing all the faithful running out of the church, he also went outside. Once there, almost instinctively, he tried to conclude the celebration with an early final blessing, entrusting everyone to the protection of the Lord,” he said.
Father Galvani said Lorenz Say port in Maumere was among the areas badly hit, with the collapse of a waiting room causing deaths and injuries.
Coastal residents fled to higher ground after authorities issued a tsunami warning. Caritas Indonesia said a sea-level change of up to 0.94 meters was recorded at Maurole in Ende before the warning was lifted.
“It was a time of great fear. Many people spent hours away from their homes, fearing that the waves would arrive. Fortunately, the warning was later lifted, and the catastrophe many had feared did not occur in Maumere,” the priest said.
Authorities continued to warn residents against returning to damaged buildings as aftershocks persisted.
“The Feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary was marked by fear and uncertainty, but the people’s faith and hope remain alive,” Father Galvani said.
He said their prayers were “for the victims, the injured, all the families who have suffered damage, and those who are working in rescue efforts at this very moment.”
