• •A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck Flores, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia, on 15 August 2026.
• •The earthquake was centred offshore, approximately 30 kilometres northeast of Mbay, Nagekeo Regency, at a depth of 15 kilometres.
• •The earthquake triggered a tsunami, with waves detected at several locations across the region, including Labuan Bajo.
• •3,394 aftershocks had been recorded by 20 August, according to BMKG.
• •Families have been displaced and homes and infrastructure have been damaged across affected communities.
• •Al-Ihsan Foundation is working with trusted local partners in Indonesia to provide emergency aid, including food, hygiene essentials, sleeping mats and blankets.

Sources: Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysical Agency (BMKG), Indonesia's National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) and humanitarian reporting published through UN OCHA's ReliefWeb. Figures used in this article reflect verified information available at the time of publication.

In the early hours of 15 August, communities across Flores were shaken by a powerful earthquake.

Strong shaking damaged homes and infrastructure, triggered landslides and forced families from their homes.

The earthquake itself lasted only moments. For families affected, the consequences have lasted much longer.

Thousands of aftershocks have followed as communities deal with damaged homes, displacement and the difficult process of recovery.

What Caused the Magnitude 7.7 Flores Earthquake?

According to BMKG, the earthquake was caused by tectonic activity along the Flores Back-Arc Thrust, an active fault system north of Flores.

Did the Flores Earthquake Trigger a Tsunami?

Yes. BMKG confirmed that the magnitude 7.7 earthquake generated a tsunami, with waves detected at several locations.

At Labuan Bajo in West Manggarai, a tsunami wave of approximately 0.36 metres was recorded. The tsunami warning was later lifted after monitoring showed the threat had passed.

The earthquake struck offshore near Nagekeo Regency on Flores Island, part of Indonesia's East Nusa Tenggara province.

But the impact extended across the wider region.

Communities across Flores experienced strong shaking, while northern areas of Manggarai and West Manggarai were included in the tsunami warning. Labuan Bajo, in West Manggarai Regency, was also affected.

Flores is a large island, and communities are spread across the region. Reaching affected families can mean travelling for hours by road.

The earthquake has had a devastating impact on families across affected communities.

As of 19 August 2026:

• •71 people have died
• •1,182 people have been injured
• •59,647 people have been displaced
• •11,950 homes have been damaged

Behind these numbers are families dealing with the loss of loved ones, injuries, damaged homes and sudden displacement.

Thousands of Aftershocks Have Followed the Earthquake

According to BMKG, 3,394 aftershocks had been recorded by 20 August, ranging from magnitude M1.1 to M6.2.

For communities already dealing with damaged homes and displacement, the continued aftershocks have prolonged an already difficult emergency.

Think about the things we use every day without giving them much thought.

Food. Soap and a toothbrush. Nappies for a baby. A mat to sleep on. A blanket at night.

When a family is suddenly displaced, access to these basic things becomes much harder.

The emergency response is focused on practical essentials: food, hygiene supplies, sleeping mats and blankets for families facing the immediate aftermath of the earthquake.

Al-Ihsan Foundation is working with trusted local partners on the ground in Indonesia to deliver emergency aid to families affected by the earthquake.

What Emergency Aid Is Being Distributed?

Donations are helping provide:

• •Food packs: Rice, cooking oil, flour, sugar, tea, instant noodles and milk powder
• •Hygiene essentials: Soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, sanitary pads and baby nappies
• •Sleeping mats: Providing displaced families with a clean surface to sleep on
• •Blankets: Providing warmth and comfort

With continued donor support, we want to reach more families.

Al-Ihsan Foundation's team is travelling to Indonesia to see firsthand the realities families are facing.

After landing, the team will travel approximately six hours by road to Labuan Bajo, Komodo, in West Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, part of the wider Flores region affected by the earthquake.

There, our team will join trusted local partners and oversee emergency aid distributions.

Meeting Families and Overseeing Emergency Aid Distributions

Our team will also meet families affected by the earthquake and listen directly to their experiences.

Statistics tell us how many homes were damaged, how many people were displaced and how many aftershocks followed.

But behind every number is a family with its own experience of what happened that morning and what life has looked like since.

We will share updates, photographs and stories from Flores as the response continues.

Alhamdulillah, thanks to the generosity of our donors, emergency aid will reach families affected by the earthquake.

If you have already donated, JazakAllahu Khairan. Your generosity will help provide food, hygiene essentials, sleeping mats and blankets to families facing displacement.

If you can give again, or have not yet contributed, your Sadaqah can help us extend this emergency response to more families.

The earthquake happened in moments. For families who have lost homes, possessions and the security of everyday life, recovery will take much longer.