The Mentawai islands tsunami in West Sumatra and Mount Merapi's multiple volcanic eruptions have left a question mark as to whether Indonesia, located in the Ring of Fire, is able to properly tackle natural disasters and the ramifications this has for its continued economic growth.
With the tsunami death toll now at more than 400, the main question still to be answered is why the tsunami alarm did not sound. According to a meteorology and geophysics official, it began malfunctioning in 2009 and stopped working last month due to alleged poor maintenance. This is unacceptable.
There have also been problems concerning transportation in and around the disaster area, including South and North Pagai islands. It is proving difficult to help victims as it is about a four-hour journey by boat, and dangerous in rough seas. Furthermore, road conditions are poor or lacking.
"We're very confused on how to deliver the aid. We have the logistics aid and hundreds of volunteers who are ready to lend their hands to the disaster sites. But we can't transport them,'' Mentawai Natural Disaster Mitigation Agency's co-ordinating unit officer, Masrizal, told local media last week.
With the tsunami death toll now at more than 400, the main question still to be answered is why the tsunami alarm did not sound. According to a meteorology and geophysics official, it began malfunctioning in 2009 and stopped working last month due to alleged poor maintenance. This is unacceptable.
There have also been problems concerning transportation in and around the disaster area, including South and North Pagai islands. It is proving difficult to help victims as it is about a four-hour journey by boat, and dangerous in rough seas. Furthermore, road conditions are poor or lacking.
"We're very confused on how to deliver the aid. We have the logistics aid and hundreds of volunteers who are ready to lend their hands to the disaster sites. But we can't transport them,'' Mentawai Natural Disaster Mitigation Agency's co-ordinating unit officer, Masrizal, told local media last week.
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