Gender Alert #1: Critical Protection Needs of Women and Girls Following the Flores Earthquake Indonesia

The Gender Alert highlights critical protection and gender-specific needs following the 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Flores Island, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia, on 15 August 2026. Women, pregnant and lactating women, children, adolescents, older people and persons with disabilities account for a significant proportion of those affected.

The alert calls for gender-responsive humanitarian assistance, improved collection of sex-, age- and disability-disaggregated data, strengthened coordination for gender-based violence (GBV) and survivor-centred services, and gender- and disability-inclusive water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), shelter and evacuation facilities. It also emphasizes the importance of safe spaces, dignity supplies, psychosocial support and meaningful engagement of women’s organizations and persons with disabilities in the response.

This is jointly developed by the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection, Republic of Indonesia; Indonesia Humanitarian Coordination Platform (IHCP); UNFPA; and UN Women.