Toronto, ON, August 18, 2026 – The earthquake that struck Indonesia’s Flores Island on August 15 has put the education of more than 25,000 children at risk, warns Plan International. Preliminary assessments by the National Secretariat's Safe School Unit show that 512 schools were affected, with 166 schools and 478 classrooms sustaining severe damage, forcing widespread disruption to children's learning.

“In an emergency, children must not lose their right to learn. When schools are damaged, we need to provide alternatives so that their learning can continue. When teachers and children are both affected, both need support, and when schools are damaged, repairs must begin as quickly as possible,” said Dini Widiastuti, Executive Director of Plan International in Indonesia.

The impact of an earthquake on children, especially girls, extends far beyond physical damage. When schools are no longer safe or accessible, girls lose vital spaces to learn, play, socialize and receive support from teachers and peers. Disrupted routines and prolonged uncertainty can also take a significant toll on children's mental health and wellbeing, making it harder for them to recover and regain a sense of normalcy after a disaster.

“At night, when we try to sleep, we have to make do with whatever we have, sleeping only on tarpaulins in the cold. My school has also been damaged, so I cannot go. I feel scared and sad,” said Rina, a 10-year-old girl living in a temporary shelter.

Since the first day following the earthquake, Plan International has been responding in several affected areas across Flores Island to address the needs of survivors, particularly girls and vulnerable groups.

“We have been providing essential support to affected families, including clean water, food, family hygiene kits, menstrual health supplies and emergency shelter items. We are also helping children regain a sense of safety and routine through learning and play activities as they recover from the shock of the earthquake.

“An earthquake strikes in seconds, but the impact on a child's education can last for months or even years. That is why education cannot be treated as an afterthought. Helping children, especially girls, return to learning and creating safe spaces for them must be part of the response from the earliest stages of an emergency,” said Widiastuti.

Plan International has conducted rapid needs assessments and distributed hundreds of emergency relief packages to several evacuation sites in Manggarai, East Manggarai, Nagekeo, Ngada, and Sikka.

Teams have also provided emotional and social support to hundreds of children in evacuation sites. The activities are designed to help children cope with the stress and fear caused by the earthquake, while providing a safe space for them to play, interact with their peers, and begin rebuilding their sense of safety.

Plan International continues to coordinate closely with the Education Cluster, led by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, and key stakeholders to ensure that the educational needs of affected children are incorporated into the humanitarian response and recovery efforts.

By supporting the restoration of learning and safe spaces for children, we aim to minimize disruption to education and support children's wellbeing following the disaster.

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To support children affected by the earthquake in Indonesia and other global crises, visit plancanada.ca/donate/children-in-crisis.

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NOTE TO EDITORS

The data from National Secretary of Safe School covered seven districts in the mapping: Nagekeo, Ende, Ngada, Manggarai, West Manggarai, East Manggarai, and Sikka. Access to education also remains challenging in several areas. Two primary schools in Ende and one early childhood education service in East Manggarai remain inaccessible following the earthquake.

About Plan International Canada

Plan International Canada is a member of a global organization dedicated to advancing children’s rights and equality for girls. Plan International has been building powerful partnerships with and for children for almost 90 years and is now active in more than 80 countries.

We stand with children, especially girls, wherever they are oppressed, exploited, left behind or not equally valued. We’re determined optimists and will continue to persevere until we are all equal.

Visit plancanada.ca for more information.

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Plan International Canada
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