Volcanic Eruptions, Earthquakes, Floods & Droughts - Indonesia
the adventures
"...friends working with friends..."
Indonesia - the largest archipelago in the world. This beautiful nation of more than 17,500 islands also sits along the Pacific Ring of Fire
As such, Indonesia is periodically rocked by volcanic eruptions and earthquakes, while floods, tsunamis, extreme weather and other forms of natural and man-made disasters constantly threaten the livelihoods and security of its populace. As in many other countries, it is often the rural poor that are most at risk
Instead of depending on outsiders to bring (usually belated and inadequate) relief and assistance, however, I have found that the organic communities can be their own best line of defence and self-help in disaster risk reduction, response and recovery
This guiding philosophy, grounded in experience, has led me to become a strong advocate of community disaster preparedness, and has also brought like-minded friends and myself into contact with many rural communities in Indonesia
From Sumatra and Java, where Asia's third tallest Mt Kerinci and the famously furious volcanos of Mt Sinabung and Mt Merapi reside, to Lombok, an island paradise rocked by multiple major earthquakes within one terrifying fortnight in 2018, to West Timor, where Indonesia's most marginalised province is situated, my comrades and I have been seeking to introduce the concept of community disaster preparedness to help train local Indonesian communities become more disaster-resilient and self-reliant
We have befriended many, but there remains so many more impoverished and at-risk communities in Indonesia to connect, befriend and train. Friends working with friends, having fun, and changing the world....
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