Banda Aceh, April 28, 2026 — The Tsunami and Disaster Mitigation Research Center of Universitas Syiah Kuala (TDMRC USK) presented the Graphic Book on 20 Years of the Aceh Tsunami to international disaster researchers, namely Prof. Koshimura, the newly appointed Director of the International Research Institute of Disaster Science (IRIDeS), Tohoku University, Japan, and Prof. David Alexander, former Chief Editor of the International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction (IJDRR), University College London (UCL).
The book was received by Prof. Koshimura, the newly appointed Director of the International Research Institute of Disaster Science (IRIDeS), Tohoku University
The book was presented by Prof. Syamsidik, Director of TDMRC USK, as part of efforts to strengthen disaster knowledge diplomacy, expand international academic networks, and share Aceh’s experience in building resilience after the 2004 tsunami.
The Graphic Book on 20 Years of the Aceh Tsunami is a knowledge-documentation work developed to record Aceh’s two-decade journey since the tsunami disaster. Through a visual approach and communicative narrative, the book not only preserves the memory of a major event that struck Aceh but also illustrates the recovery process, lessons learned, capacity building, and the development of disaster science that has grown in its aftermath.
The book was received by Prof. David Alexander, former Chief Editor of the International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction (IJDRR), University College London (UCL)
Prof. Syamsidik stated that the book is expected to serve as a medium for sharing lessons with the global disaster community. According to him, Aceh’s experience holds significant value, not only as a historical record but also as a reference for disaster risk reduction efforts in various countries.
“Twenty years after the Aceh tsunami, we remember the event not only as a humanitarian tragedy, but also as an important turning point in building awareness, knowledge, and collaboration in disaster risk reduction. This book is part of TDMRC USK’s effort to preserve memory while strengthening learning across generations and across countries,” said Prof. Syamsidik.
The book’s presentation to Prof. Koshimura carries significant meaning, given that IRIDeS is one of the leading disaster research institutions with strong engagement in tsunami studies, disaster mitigation, and community capacity building. Meanwhile, the presentation to Prof. David Alexander also reflects the strengthening of academic relations with the international scientific community, particularly in disaster risk reduction and global disaster studies.
The Graphic Book on 20 Years of the Aceh Tsunami was produced by TDMRC USK, involving a team of writers, compilers, layout designers, editors, and photo contributors from various parties. The publication was also supported by several partners and institutions, including the Aceh Tsunami Museum, Static and Tsunami Archives Center of the National Archives of the Republic of Indonesia (BAST-ANRI), Kyoto University, The Center for Southeast Asian Studies (CSEAS), and United States Geological Survey (USGS) which shares a commitment to historical documentation, disaster education, and the strengthening of Aceh’s collective tsunami memory.
Moving forward, TDMRC USK hopes that this book will reach a wider readership, including academics, researchers, policymakers, disaster institutions, and the general public. In this way, the memory of the Aceh tsunami will not merely remain as an archive of the past, but will continue to live on as a source of learning for building a more resilient future.
