The Impact of Tsunami in Indonesia - Essay Example

The Impact of Tsunami in Indonesia Natural disasters happen in different parts of the world. These disasters are sometimes a challenge to survive because their consequences are devastating to the country and the people. Most of the time, these disasters strain country resources. Tsunami is one of the disasters that have affected the people of Asia. The devastating consequence of this tragedy was best observed in Indonesia. This paper seeks to explore on the impact of tsunami on Indonesia and various recommendations to overcome the challenges. Various sectors have been affected by tsunami. The first impact was felt on fresh water. After tsunami struck in the region, the shortage of water was experienced in some areas of the delta during the dry spell. This was felt in the village along the coast and the islands where water was found to be in short supply during the dry months. The report on the impact of Tsunami found that the water available was found to be less than 20 liters per day that is the minimum required for proper survival in the area.1 This has caused the amount of fresh water to overshoot where it was found being sold between 150 to 200 Kyat’s per ten gallons.2 The effect of the tsunami has also been felt for water stored. This was particularly noticeable on KIne Thaung village where three of the five rainwater-harvesting tanks had been destroyed.3 The other impact was on health. However, there was no outbreaks of any communicable diseases were reported in those areas affected by Tsunami. Despite this, malaria is endemic in Myanmar.4 Additionally, waterborne diseases such as diarrhea are experienced in this area in times of disasters. The other impact was on education. In all the four villages assessed, there was a damage of the school building by Tsunami. This was evident in Aung Hlaing where damages prompted relocation to higher grounds. In all the four villages, school supplies of children were washed away together with their houses. On the agricultural sector, there was minimal damage. This damage only took place on a small watermelon field in Khar Phyat Thaung.5 The other apparent damage was on some homestead vegetable gardens damaged by seawater. The rest of the agriculture fields were spared. This is because the seawater did not reach the inland to be able to eliminate the agricultural field or crops. This was also the case in Ngaputaw, Kyauk Phyu and Kawthaung Townships. Food Consumption, Utilization, Nutritional and Health Status Due to the effects above there were initiatives taken place to secure the situation. The relief food items provided by the government and other aid agencies addressed the immediate food consumption needs. These items included rice, some oil, beans and eggs that were only enough for one month. There was also a report from the community group participants complaining of decline in fish consumption. After the main source of income of the victim was challenged for years, there was expectation that consumption of vegetables and fruits for the market would decrease. This was to be the case for those households dependent on markets for such produces. This was evident in the Kine Thaund place where the backyard garden was used for drying fish instead of vegetable production.6 It was expected that the Kcal requirements would be would be achieved by the provision of support to families of five.7 However, there might be a risk of micronutrients intake because the decrease in fish and vegetables or fruits consumption by poorer households are they are unable to supplement relief items.8 This means in the short term, there is no expected change in terms of nutritional and health status. Therefore, if the intake of micronutrients remains a challenge and thus young children from a poor background may be compromised. For this reason, a close observation is needed.9 To address these challenges, food and nutritional assessments are needed. This calls for the definition of overall well being of children and women. Atwood says that there should also be facilitation on planning for practical, efficient and equitable distribution of health policies.10 This also calls for a plan for a successful long term monitoring plan. In fact, the local government intervention will be vital while the national government will provide resources. There will also be coordination between government, civil society, United Nations and private sector. It is clear that disaster reveal bias in any society. For this reason, it offers opportunities for resolving inequities in the post disaster setting. In disaster management, livelihood recovery is a key aspect in disaster response. For this reason, more effort is needed in determining the impact on food security in different livelihood, occupation, and social groups. This will assist in determining individual community groups who have lost their source of income. According to UNICEF, there also need to be a better understanding of the social and gender impacts of Tsunami especially its impact on women.11 The focus will be on establishing both the immediate and long-term policies as an effective way of bringing relief. It is worth noting that agriculture plays a significant role to the economic success of Aceh. According to WHO report, farming is the main source of income and contributes 60% of the income.12 Close to a hundred percent of the villagers, participate in fisheries and agriculture. However, there was disruption of this economic set up after the devastating effect of tsunami that took place on December 26, 2005.13 This is because the Tsunami destroyed a large percentage of the agricultural land. The quality of the land was also severed. This calls for those areas affected by Tsunami to be rehabilitated by soil and water management strategies to enhance soil and water qualities. Moreover, the sociological and economic element should be considered in rehabilitating rural areas for sustainable agriculture. This calls for an urgent focus on rehabilitation agricultural sector. There has been some direct effect of Tsunami to agricultural land. They involve direct harvest destruction by wave, salt poisoning, and uprooting. Secondly, is through the destruction of the ground due to erosion. Thirdly, is through depositing of salted sediment. Fourth is through dirt and debris accumulation. Fifth is through salt infiltration and ground water salinization. Sixth, is through fertility depletion when the top soil is eroded. Lastly, it occurs through biological destruction and infrastructural damages. 14 Recommendations Food Security and Livelihoods There should be continued food aid to 1,250 fishing households (this is almost 5,000 persons). Subagyono et al. also notes that this will ensure their means of livelihoods are restored and expectation is that it would last for six months.15 Closely monitor market prices, fish production, and location of lost fishing gear in the affected areas.16 Reconstruction and Rehabilitation of Local infrastructure Assistance should be offered to the communities involved in assets such as schools, roads, ponds/tanks, reclamation of seawater-affected ponds, and dykes.17 This should also take [lace in other property owned by communities and destroyed by the tsunami through food for work (FFW) support. The poor should also be assisted especially those who cannot afford to lose income through the provision of FFW during the reconstruction of their houses. Assistance should also be offered through structural strengthening of the community assets through FFW. This will reduce the damages from potential disaster in the future and increase access to these communities. Emergency Preparedness and Response There should be assistance to the government and communities in developing an early warning system and response actions/disaster management plans. This will be through provision of equipments and technical assistance. Immediate Actions There need to be immediate response so as land rehabilitation and agricultural reconstruction take place. This will ensure that there is recovery of agricultural system and economic development. This is because the rainy season is yet to end, and natural leaching by rainfall is possible. However, salt reaching may not be effective if the drainage system is not installed. There should also be installation of field drain through digging ditches on agricultural areas. To support restarting of cultivation, farming capacity need to be recovered. Immediate actions for this purpose are by supporting agricultural inputs, training farmers in dealing with assessment of the damages and existing land rehabilitation strategies.18 Institutional Building The success of land rehabilitation and agricultural reconstruction in such communities is not just a factor of technical approach. However, the building up and strengthening the farm institutions will provide benefit for success. Therefore, several institutions need to be created to succeed the land rehabilitation implementation. If the farming system development has been restarted, several institutions have to be created.19 Food Security and Nutrition This calls for improvement on coordination among government and aid partners to avoid overlapping of activities. Untoro further advises on the developing and strengthening of a planning mechanism with local government to transfer ownership and address the problems holistically and effectively.20 Third, develop a mechanism that can be able to deal with the tragedy. Lastly, establish a forum for discussion on achievements, lessons learned and new challenges to improve on disaster management capacity. Bibliography “Impact of the Tsunami on the Lives and Livelihood of People in Myanmar with Special Focus on Labutta Township, Ayeyardwaddy Division.” Atwood, S. “Food Security and Nutrition Panel 2.11.” WHO Conference on Health Aspects of Tsunami Disaster in Asia: UNICEF (2005). Subagyono, K., Sugiharto, B., Jaya, B. “Rehabilitation Strategies of the tsunami affected agricultural areas in Nangroe Aceh Darussalam, Indonesia.” Untoro, R. “Food security and nutrition on the tsunami crisis, Indonesian experiences.” Asia: WHO Conference on Health Aspects of the Tsunami Disaster in Asia, 2005. Read More