RDI’s Delegates at the RDI’s Booth on AIWEST-DR 2024
Since the devastating earthquake and tsunami in Aceh in 2004, Indonesia has made significant strides in enhancing disaster resilience. As part of these efforts, Resilience Development Initiative (RDI) participated in the Aceh International Workshop and Expo on Sustainable Tsunami Disaster Recovery (AIWEST-DR 2024), aiming to deepen knowledge of resilience and foster communication with key stakeholders. Representing RDI at the event were Dr. Saut Sagala (Chair of the Disaster and Climate Resilience Cluster), Abimanyu Arya Atmaja Abdullah, Kharis Aulia, Alifa Zalfa Poetry Wicaksono, Dekka Dhirgantara Putra, Debby Paramitasari, Chelsea Patricia, and Fahmi Akbar.
Day One: Opening and Expert Discussions
Held on November 8-9, 2024, the first day began with opening remarks from stakeholders, including representatives from Syiah Kuala University, Tsunami and Disaster Mitigation Research Center (TDMRC), Ikatan Ahli Kebencanaan Indonesia (IABI), National Agency for Disaster Countermeasure (BNPB), and local government officials. The program featured a plenary session and two panel discussions, offering expert insights into key areas of tsunami disaster recovery.
The plenary session at AIWEST-DR 2024 showcased cutting-edge advancements in tsunami risk mitigation. Prof Tiziana Rossetto presented a novel laboratory-based tsunami simulation system and highlighted research on how sequential earthquakes and tsunamis impact structures differently, proposing improved resilience design methods. Prof. Shunichi Koshimura focused on the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, demonstrating the use of satellite imagery and GIS data to develop fragility curves and proposing a global tsunami damage forecast facility while addressing data accuracy and resolution challenges. Prof. Dwikorita Karnawati emphasized community preparedness through the UNESCO-IOC Tsunami Ready Program, identifying gaps in Indonesia’s early warning systems, including the InaTEWS, and advocating for stronger regional collaboration. Together, these insights offered a comprehensive view of innovative strategies and tools to enhance disaster resilience.
The AIWEST-DR 2024 also provided panel sessions featuring insights from Prof Anawat Suppasri, Prof Muksin, Prof Irwan Meilano, Prof. Nigel Clark, Prof. Dumaria Rulina Tampubolon, and Herry Indratno, explored earthquake and tsunami risk mitigation comprehensively. Key discussions included Thailand's advancements in tsunami mitigation, Indonesia's vulnerability to inland earthquakes, strategies for addressing unknown seismic events, the disproportionate impact of disasters on marginalized communities, and the role of financial strategies like earthquake catastrophe models and government-led risk modeling. The session highlighted the importance of community resilience, technological advancements such as hazard mapping and early warning systems, and the need for data coordination and integrated seismic databases.
RDI’s Delegates Presenting Papers
Day Two: Paper Presentation & Exhibition
The second day featured paper presentations and an exhibition, where RDI played an active role by hosting a booth to introduce its initiatives and build partnerships with resilience-focused researchers. RDI also presented five papers, reflecting its diverse expertise. Abimanyu Arya Atmaja Abdullah (DCR Programme Officer) examines Climate Disaster Displacement through a paper titled “Between Adaptation or Retreat in the Face of Slow-Onset Disasters: Lessons from Indonesia's National and Local Adaptation Strategies to Manage Displacement Risks.” Kharis Aulia (DCR Deputy Programme Officer) presented a paper titled “Reflections on Long-Term Recovery After the 2004 Aceh Tsunami: Sustainability in Spatial Planning and Disaster Risk Reduction in Indonesia.” Alifa Zalfa Poetry Wicaksono (DCR Research Officer) exploring Disaster Risk Financing through a paper titled: “Unveiling Successes and Shortcomings: A Critical Review of Disaster Resilience Financing Post the 2018 Central Sulawesi Earthquake and COVID-19.” Dekka Dhirgantara Putra (SSC Programme Officer) highlights Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) through a paper titled “Assessing Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) for Restoring River Basins: A Case Study from Brantas River in Batu City.” Debby Paramitasari (CSWH Programme Officer) explores Adaptive Social Protection (ASP) through a paper titled “Adaptive Social Protection as a Strategy for Enhancing Household Resilience to Multiple Risks: A Case Study of National and Local Initiatives in Indonesia.”
The two-day event underscored RDI's role as a leading think tank in disaster resilience. By contributing to knowledge enhancement through five paper presentations and engaging with researchers and policymakers, RDI strengthened its presence in the resilience community. The team also visited the Aceh Tsunami Museum, gaining deeper insights into the impacts of the 2004 disaster and reinforcing their commitment to advancing disaster resilience initiatives. AIWEST-DR 2024 served as a valuable platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration, further solidifying RDI’s dedication to building a resilient future.
