Disaster : When it strikes

• February 2010, Ciwidey - West Java landslide :

• October 2010, Tsunami in Mentawai :
  

Photo from Kompas

• October 2010, Merapi eruption :
  

photo from Detik

• November 2010, Bromo eruption :

photo in The Jakarta Post

The year 2010 has not been a great year for Indonesia after all. Indonesia reels from earthquake, landslide and flood, tsunami, and volcanic eruption. The impact is not only limited to its local people, but to the country as well. The massive damages have been an economic burden to Indonesia, to recover and stand again on its own.

Now now, let's google up the meaning of 'disaster'.

"sudden ecological phenomenon of sufficient magnitude to require external assistance" - WHO.

"Bencana adalah peristiwa atau rangkaian peristiwa yang mengancam dan mengganggu kehidupan dan penghidupan masyarakat yang disebabkan, baik oleh faktor alam atau non-alam maupun faktor manusia sehingga mengakibatkan timbulnya korban jiwa manusia, kerusakan lingkungan, kerugian harta benda, dan dampak psikologis" - UU Republik Indonesia no 24 tentang penanggulangan bencana.

A disaster can be classified into natural and manmade. However, these two types sometimes can be overlapping. Earthquake, tsunami, volcanic eruption, cyclone are some of the examples of natural disaster. Manmade disaster, on the other hand, is a consequence of their own activity, for an instance deforestation, setting of fires and war. Either natural or manmade, both situations need to be tackled wisely to minimize its impact.



More in :
1. Natural Disaster in Indonesia

2. Discovery Channel - Southeast Asia

3. What is Disaster

4. Psychosocial Issue For Older Adults in Disasters

5.Lecture note : Conceptual Framework of disaster and Disaster Management by dr Hendro Wartatmo