doi: 10.3850/S179392402013001865

Similar Events, Different Disasters: A Comparative Assessment of the Aftermath of the 2004 Indian Ocean and the 2011 Japan Tsunamis

Patrick Dalya^a and Amoz Hor^b University Scholars Program, National University of Singapore, University Town, 18 College Avenue East, Singapore 138593. ^ausppd@nus.edu.sg ^bamoz@nus.edu.sg

ABSTRACT

In this paper, we discuss the relevance of the “lessons learned” from the post-tsunami reconstruction efforts in Aceh, Indonesia for Japan following the 2011 tsunami using a comparative framework. This will be done through an analysis of the following: a) differences in the impact of the disasters; b) differences in the pre-disaster context of each country (i.e. preparedness, resilience, vulnerabilities, social and economic contexts); and c) differences in the frameworks through which responses were planned, funded and carried out. This work draws upon extensive field experience in areas affected by the Indian Ocean tsunami – especially Aceh, Indonesia, as well as documentary review of the relief and reconstruction efforts in both Aceh and Japan.

Keywords: Tsunami, Aceh, Japan, Reconstruction, Governance, Finance.

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