REO, Indonesia – In the aftermath of the devastating eastern Indonesia earthquake, businesses have begun to reopen across the affected areas. The powerful tremor, which struck Flores island on Saturday, has left a trail of destruction in its wake, claiming the lives of at least 70 people, injuring nearly 1,200 others, and damaging thousands of homes.

According to the National Disaster Management Agency and other officials, the earthquake caused widespread destruction across the island, affecting at least 11,925 homes, 182 health facilities, 653 schools, 184 government offices, and 173 places of worship. The immediate food and water needs of the affected population have been met, and local governments in seven regencies hit by the quake have resumed operations to accelerate post-disaster recovery and serve the community’s administrative needs.

East Nusa Tenggara Gov. Emanuel Melkiades Laka Lena stated that the earthquake struck at a depth of 10 kilometers (6 miles), according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Residents fled in panic as tsunami warnings were issued and later lifted. Authorities recorded more than 2,100 aftershocks through Tuesday, though only 70 were felt by residents.

Thousands of people across the island slept outdoors, fearing aftershocks, while rescue workers were cleaning up the rubble and mud from a landslide, anticipating the possibility of discovering more victims, said Fathur Rahman, the search mission coordinator.

In Maumere, a port city in Sikka regency, markets and gas stations drew large crowds when they reopened. In Reo, a town in the hard-hit Manggarai regency, residents lined up outside a grocery store that only partially opened its doors to limit the number of customers entering.

“Food aid has helped, but it doesn’t cover everything we need for daily life,” said Delvina Panjaitan, who was waiting outside the store. “We still rely on grocery stores and markets, and we need them to be operating again.”

Indonesia, an archipelago of more than 17,000 islands, is prone to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions due to its location on the Pacific Ring of Fire. Flores experienced one of the country’s deadliest disasters in 1992, when an earthquake and ensuing tsunami killed about 2,500 people.

Recovery Efforts Underway

The National Disaster Management Agency and other officials are working tirelessly to provide aid and support to those affected by the earthquake. The agency has set up evacuation centers and makeshift shelters to accommodate the displaced population, and is working to restore essential services, including electricity and water supply.

Local governments in the affected regencies have also established a relief fund to support the recovery efforts. The fund will be used to provide assistance to those in need, including food, shelter, and medical care.

In addition to the relief efforts, the government is also working to restore damaged infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and buildings. The Department of Public Works and Housing has dispatched a team of engineers and construction workers to assess the damage and develop a plan for repair and reconstruction.

The recovery efforts are expected to take several weeks, if not months, to complete. In the meantime, the affected population will continue to rely on aid and support from the government, NGOs, and other organizations.

As the recovery efforts continue, the people of Flores island are coming together to support each other in the face of adversity. The resilience and solidarity of the community are a testament to the strength and determination of the Indonesian people.