Emergency Relief and Needs Assessment Launched: Offshore Earthquake near Flores Island, Eastern Indonesia

On the morning of August 15, 2026, a magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck off the coast of Flores Island in eastern Indonesia. Since the initial quake, multiple strong aftershocks—including one measuring magnitude 6.2—have continued, causing widespread damage. At least 60 fatalities have been reported※1, and over 5,000 people have been forced to evacuate. Search and rescue operations for survivors are currently underway※2.

Japan Platform (JPF) announced on August 18 its decision to deploy emergency relief and conduct an on-site needs assessment through its member NGO, the Peace Boat Disaster Relief Center (PBV). PBV has already begun information gathering in coordination with local partner organizations, working diligently to assess the extent of the damage and identify urgent support needs. In response to critical demands, PBV will provide essential supplies and other forms of assistance aimed at facilitating early recovery for affected communities.

Since the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake off Sumatra, JPF has carried out numerous relief operations in Indonesia. For this latest disaster, JPF will continue to collaborate closely with local authorities and partner organizations, ensuring that responses are timely and aligned with the actual needs of survivors.

※1 [Update] – Hari Ketiga Pascagempa M7,7 NTT, Tim SAR Tetap Siaga, 17 Aug 2026 ※2 [Update] – Dampak Gempa M7,7 NTT, Korban Meninggal Dunia Menjadi 53 Orang, 16 Aug 2026

[General Donations]

If you support our mission to fund rapid initial assessments for future disasters and conflicts, please consider donating through one of the following methods: *Note: These are general donations supporting JPF’s overall operations, not designated for any specific project.

◆ Bank Transfer Donation

Bank Name: Mitsubishi UFJ Bank Branch: Head Office Account Type: Ordinary Account Number: 0825076 Account Name: Japan Platform (Specified Nonprofit Corporation) Kana: Tokui) Jiyapan Purattohuumu

*Please note that transfer fees are at the donor’s expense.

◆ Donation via Japan Post Bank

Bank Name: Japan Post Bank Account Number: 00100-7-757910 Account Name: Japan Platform (Specified Nonprofit Corporation) Kana: Tokui) Japan Platformto

*Please write "General Donation" in the message field. *Please note that transfer fees are at the donor’s expense.

[About Japan Platform (Certified NPO Corporation)]

Established in 2000 based on lessons learned from the Kosovo conflict, Japan Platform is Japan’s emergency humanitarian assistance framework built on equal partnership among NGOs, the private sector, and the government. Functioning as a collaborative platform in normal times, it enables diverse stakeholders to leverage their strengths and resources. JPF delivers rapid and effective support to victims of natural disasters and refugees or internally displaced persons affected by conflict, both domestically and internationally. To date, it has implemented over 2,600 humanitarian projects across more than 65 countries and regions, disbursing over ¥100.8 billion in total. Supporting more than 45 member NGOs—each with specialized expertise—JPF operates as a professional humanitarian responder, delivering aid grounded in the actual needs of affected populations.