Picking Up the Pieces from a Disaster

Most of us can't even imagine what it is like to be plunged into a natural disaster never mind getting over it all. But how can one do it and just how does one cope?.

I asked Candika this after the massive earthquake hit Yogyakarta a while ago. Fortunately she had family and the bonding and support for her was there. So physically and emotionally she was okay. But what of those that have lost their partner, their breadwinner, and are left with nothing. They have the unfortunate task of relying on support from NGO's and government handouts.

Financially and emotionally it must be draining for them all and not only at the present but for years to come. And it's not only those suffering from the earthquake in Yogyakarta there is now the situation in Pangandaran.

Unpredicted and sudden, the tsunami that descended with destructive force upon the west and central southern coastline of Java immediately rekindled memories of Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam and North Sumatra's Nias regency in December 2004. This time, people, learning from Aceh's experience with the deadly waves, quickly fled to the safety of higher ground. There were still casualties of those who were unable to escape the surge of waves measuring up to four meters in height, but the devastation is not believed to be of the same enormity as Aceh.

With scientists admitting they were wrong in dismissing the threat of a tsunami in the areas, it's time for some serious contemplation about what needs to be done for the future. For, instead of being left to pick up the pieces from another disaster and start anew, perhaps it would be better to be ready for what may lie ahead, however slight the possibility.