AT 07.59 WIB

An earthquake measuring 9.1 – 9.3 on the Richter scale shook the seabed in the southwest part of Sumatera, up to 20 – 25 KM offshore.

Earthquake epicenter

Approximately 149 KM west of Meulaboh, Aceh, due to the interaction of the Indo – Australian and Eurasia plates.

Tsunami waves

With a wave speed almost 360 KM per hour,  the height of the Aceh Tsunami is almost estimated reach 30 meters.

With the theme:

“Sustainable Resilience, Adaptive, and Inclusive World”

Infographic of the 2004 tsunami incident

There are 14 other countries affected. Among them are Somalia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand and Maladewa

In total, it is estimated that 230.000 people were victims of this disaster in all affected countries

Losses due to the Tsunami Aceh reached tens of trillions (IDR) 

Every 26 December, commemorates the tsunami disaster in Aceh 

Background

The 2004 earthquake and mega-tsunami disaster devastated almost the entire Aceh Province. Hundreds of thousands of lives were lost when this incident struck. The loss of property and loved ones certainly leaves a sadness that is difficult to forget.

Therefore, to commemorate the twentieth year of the mega-tsunami in December 2004, USK—will organize various activities to provide information and education to the local community.

Series of Events

Disaster Recovery Assessment After 20 Years of the 2004 Aceh Tsunami

PIC: Dr. Rina Suryani Oktari, S.Kep., M.Si

Timeline: January – October 2024

Venue: TDMRC USK

An earthquake with a magnitude of 9.2 on the Richter scale on December 26 2004, caused changes in base deformation and faults along 1200 km stretching from Aceh to Andaman. The dynamics and challenges faced in rebuilding settlements, hospitals, schools and other infrastructure while empowering survivors to rebuild their future and develop their livelihoods provide important insight into the recovery process after the 20-year tsunami in Aceh. The aim of the recovery assessment is to identify the achievements and challenges of the long-term recovery process after the 20-year tsunami in Aceh, as well as provide strategic recommendations to improve recovery efforts towards sustainable resilience.

The 16th Aceh International Workshop and Expo on Sustainable Tsunami Disaster Recovery (AIWEST-DR 2024) in Conjuction with the 8th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Indonesian Disaster Experts Association (PIT-IABI)

PIC: Dr. Haekal Haridhi

Timeline: November, 2024

Venue: AAC Dayan Dawood

AIWEST-DR is an annual routine activity held starting in 2016 as a forum for disseminating findings and research results in disasters. This activity is a means of assessing scientific methods, generating and disseminating scientific knowledge, exchanging ideas and information freely, respecting the diversity of ideas and approaches, maintaining public accountability, achieving excellence and integrity, and presenting accurate, peer-reviewed and reputable science. It is hoped that 3 keynote speakers and 9 invited speakers can contribute to this activity. Apart from presenting resource persons, TDMRC, as the organizer or implementer of the activity, will propose special publication issues in reputable international journals, indexed proceedings and accredited national journals. The aim of AIWEST-DR activities is to facilitate strengthening partner networks in the disaster sector to produce strategic communication in the exchange of ideas, information and diversity. The 16th AIWEST-DR activity will be held at AAC Dayan Dawood USK in Banda Aceh and apart from that, PIT-IABI will also join in this activity.

USK Global Award on Disaster Resilience (U-Dare) 2024

PIC: Hasnan Hanif

Timeline: 18 – 20 October, 2024

Venue: TDMRC USK

In order to create human resources with superior character, innovative, digitally competent, collaborative, competitive and resilient to disasters, Universitas Syiah Kuala provides opportunities for students to compete and provide innovative ideas in the disaster award competition program to increase student creativity in the field of disasters and while developing students’ soft skills and increasing awareness in terms of disaster risk reduction. Activities include Popular Scientific Writings on Disasters, Futuristic Ideas Written on Disasters, Scientific Debates on Disasters, Short Disaster Films, and Disaster Education Media. The aim of the disaster award competition is to increase students’ ability to be critical, innovative and creative in providing renewable solutions and innovations in the field of disasters.

The International Seminar Series

PIC: Ahmad Nubli Gadeng, S.Pd., M.Pd.

Timeline: March, June, August & November 2024

Venue: TDMRC USK

The main focus of the USK Tsunami Disaster Mitigation and Research Center (TDMRC) since it was first established in 2006 has been to socialize research and education activities, related to disaster risk mitigation and reduction in Indonesia and several other disaster-prone Asian countries. One of the steps taken in collaborating with researchers from outside TDMRC is holding dissemination packaged in a seminar series. The aim of implementing the tsunami seminar series is to become a forum for exchanging ideas between researchers regarding the development of the tsunami phenomenon that occurred. The activities will be held in the TDMRC USK Auditorium in Banda Aceh

International Seminar on Tsunami Disaster Mitigation 2024

PIC: Dr. Syahrul Ridha, S.Pd., M.Pd

Timeline: November 07, 2024

Venue: TDMRC USK

Tsunami mitigation is vital in reducing the impacts of these natural disasters. Although tsunamis cannot be prevented, their effects can be mitigated through planned and systematic approaches. The devastating 2004 Aceh tsunami highlighted the importance of disaster management, prompting new regulations and policies aimed at improving preparedness across disaster-prone regions.

To commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Aceh tsunami, a series of activities, including an international seminar, have been planned. These aim to increase public awareness and strengthen existing mitigation systems by sharing knowledge and experiences from around the world. The seminar will also assess the effectiveness of current regulations and identify the need for new measures that could further reduce future tsunami risks.

20 Years of Aceh Tsunami Book

PIC: Ir. Adrian Ulza, S.T., M.Sc

Timeline: March – November, 2024

Venue: TDMRC USK

The 20-year post-tsunami journey needs to be well documented, showing the long-term progress of recovery from the Aceh tsunami and compiling important lessons from the tsunami event. Even though 20 years have passed since the tsunami, many aspects still require more attention and improvement. This book is expected to summarize the Aceh tsunami recovery process for 20 years from important aspects, such as residential planning, basic infrastructure, disaster preparedness, development of tsunami information in Aceh, and economic development of tsunami-affected areas. The aim of the activities to prepare the book 20 Years of the Aceh Tsunami is to formulate important lessons from the Aceh tsunami after 20 years have passed, report on the development of Aceh after 20 years of the tsunami from the aspects of managing residential areas affected by the tsunami, preparedness for disasters, and economic development in areas that have been affected by the tsunami and disseminate them. Documentation of Aceh’s recovery after the 2004 tsunami. The output obtained from this activity is the publication of a book on the theme of 20 years of the Aceh tsunami with a title that will be determined through an internal discussion process and activity reports on the implementation stages of activities for preparing a book on the theme of 20 years of the Aceh tsunami.

Book of Graphics for Commemorating 20 Years of the 2004 Aceh Tsunami

PIC: Ismiatul Ramadhian Nur, S.T., M.Si

Timeline: March – November, 2024

Venue: TDMRC USK

This book will be specially designed with a concise visual and graphic display to describe Aceh’s journey in the two post-tsunami decades by highlighting achievements, challenges and inspiring stories from the Acehnese people who are resilient in rebuilding their lives. It is hoped that the preparation of this infographic book can provide a better understanding to the public with a readership that targets every generation. Apart from that, this book will also convey information to the younger generation about the tsunami that hit the area where they live. The infographic book 20 Years of the Aceh Tsunami aims to immortalise history, increase public awareness, inspire and lead by example, educate on disaster mitigation and increase visual literacy. The output obtained from this activity is the publication of an Infographic Book totalling 100 colourful pages containing the history, impact, recovery process and development of recovery 20 years after the Aceh Tsunami in the form of graphics and pictures as well as brief information.

Short Documentary Movies on 20 Years of the 2004 Aceh Tsunami

PIC: Deni Yanuar, S.IP., M.IKom

Timeline: February – November, 2024

Venue: TDMRC USK

TDMRC will produce short films and documentaries called Mini-dramas and Documentaries to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Aceh Tsunami. The films are planned to be screened at AIWEST 2024. The mini-drama is titled “Akan Ada Jalan”. It tells the story of a family separated by the 2004 Aceh Tsunami. But thanks to their passion and perseverance, fate reunites them after many years. A documentary entitled “Risalah Ombak Serambi Mekah”. This film raises the topic of the Aceh Tsunami as a messenger of change that has an impact on various sides of the lives of the people of Aceh, both in terms of culture, social, and religion. “Risalah” means “revealed message”.

Tsunami Evacuation Sign-Boards Revitalization

PIC: Ir. Juliana Fisaini, S.T., M.T.

Timeline: October, 2024

Venue: TDMRC USK

The momentum of the 20th anniversary of the tsunami, which will be commemorated on December 26, 2024, can be used as a forum to increase public awareness of disaster risk, especially for people who live in coastal areas. Baitussalam, Aceh Besar was one of the areas affected by the tsunami in 2004. Currently, there are many new housing developments in the area. This proposal aims to assess the tsunami evacuation route facilities in the coastal area and rejuvenate the tsunami evacuation route signage facilities. In addition, this activity can also be used as an agenda to introduce tsunami evacuation routes to newcomers. The assessment is carried out by surveying the condition of tsunami evacuation routes by referring to the existing tsunami evacuation route map, rejuvenating the evacuation route signs and installing evacuation route signs in areas without evacuation signs. In addition, in areas that do not yet have a Gathering Point, an analysis of the establishment of Temporary Evacuation Sites (TES) and Final Evacuation Sites (TSA) can be carried out and socialisation to the community. The results of this activity are expected to increase community awareness and preparedness for tsunami disasters.

Training on Basic Life Support & First Aid Skills in Daily Life

PIC: dr. Ichsan, M.Sc., SpKKLP., Subsp.FOMC.

Timeline: September, 2024

Venue: TDMRC USK

An emergency is a clinical state where prompt action is essential to save lives and prevent greater danger, arising from various causes such as workplace accidents, including in laboratories and fields, and burns from fire and electricity. Emergencies can happen to anyone, anywhere, at any time. Therefore, all medical and non-medical staff at the Tsunami and Disaster Mitigation Research Center (TDMRC) must be prepared. The TDMRC has developed expertise in health crises and pandemics, particularly in providing Basic Life Support (BLS) and first aid skills necessary for immediate and accurate emergency response.

Indian Ocean Tsunami Commemoration Crisis Management Exercise

PIC: Dr. Haekal Haridhi

Timeline: 29 October, 2024

Venue: TDMRC USK

The planned activity is a crisis management exercise to commemorate the Indian Ocean Tsunami, aimed at strengthening bilateral ties between the governments of Indonesia and the United States during crises. This event will be held on October 29, 2024, at the Syiah Kuala University campus in Banda Aceh and will involve stakeholders from both countries. The exercise includes disaster response training featuring a facilitator from the American Foreign Service Institute, along with participation from the Tsunami and Disaster Mitigation Research Center of Syiah Kuala University and the Aceh Disaster Management Agency.

The agenda includes opening remarks, presentations on progress since the 2004 tsunami, a video simulation of a tsunami triggered by an earthquake, and group discussion sessions focused on specific challenges such as supporting displaced communities, managing humanitarian aid logistics, and coordinating aid for impacted U.S. citizens. This will be an opportunity to share perspectives, gather ideas, and formulate next steps to enhance future disaster preparedness and response.

The 1st UNINET Summer Camp Entitled Disaster “Revisiting the Aceh Tsunami after 20 Years: Insights, Resilience and Progress”

Timeline: 22 – 28 September, 2024

Place: Banda Aceh, Indonesia

In Commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the Aceh Tsunami, Universitas Syiah Kuala is initiating a Summer Camp. This event is expected to serve as a forum for the exchange of knowledge and experiences between Indonesian and International Students. It will provide an ideal opportunity to unite ideas, understand challenges, and find solutions to disasters that occur in certain areas, as well as to visit tsunami sites.

National Seminar: Track Record of Health Disaster Management after the Aceh Tsunami: What are the Impacts on the Indonesian Health System when Facing Potential Health Crisis Situations?

Timeline: 23 Desember, 2024

Place: Banda Aceh, Indonesia

Disaster Working Group of Faculty of Medicine UGM in collaboration with Faculty of Medicine of Syiah Kuala University, Tsunami and Disaster Mitigation Research Center (TDMRC) Banda Aceh and Cut Nyak Dien Meulaboh Hospital.

GOALS

The purpose of the Tsunami-TDMRC 20th Commemoration activities are 

Establish a forum for socialization and education, fostering community and national preparedness for disasters
Conduct a comprehensive review of tsunami mitigation strategies, identifying tsunami sources, and assessing both community preparedness and government capacity
Benchmark community readiness towards tsunamis, drawing insights from the past 20 years of tsunami experience, and formulate recommendations for effective disaster mitigation
Facilitate the strengthening of partner networks within the disaster sector, promoting strategic communication for the exchange of ideas, information, and diversity

Sustainable Resilience, Adaptive, and Inclusive World

In Collaboration with