WVI reaches 20,000 people to meet basic needs in Flores

The humanitarian organisation Wahana Vili Indonesia (WVI) has reached more than 20,000 people to meet needs for clean water, sanitation, tents, and nutrition for infants and children during the one-month disaster response period following the earthquake in Flores, East Nusa Tenggara.

“WVI has reached more than 13,400 children and 8,200 adults through various efforts, ranging from the distribution of 374,800 litres of clean water and 24 water tanks to meet basic needs, to the distribution of 1,100 non-food assistance packages, including hygiene kits and family tent/tarpaulin packages,” said WVI Technical Sectors Director Yacobus Runtuwene in a statement in Jakarta on Monday.

Additionally, the organisation has provided psychosocial support for children at 65 locations and established Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) kitchens at 21 sites.

“During our one-month disaster response, we witnessed firsthand how this disaster has paralysed the lives of children and the community in Flores,” he said.

WVI is committed to continuing its assistance for children and communities across six regencies—namely Manggarai, East Manggarai, West Manggarai, Nagekeo, Ngada, and Ende—until November 2026.

He added that WVI’s Child-Friendly Spaces have currently reached more than 5,500 children, providing psychological recovery support through play, learning, and mentoring activities to maintain their morale.

Furthermore, nearly 2,000 children have received food packages from the IYCF kitchens to reduce the risk of malnutrition.

“WVI aims to reach 25,000 affected victims, including 12,000 children,” said Yacobus Runtuwene.