Tsunami: The Aftermath

Tsunami: The Aftermath

Tsunami: The Aftermath

Even almost three years after the December 26, 2004 tsunami in the Indian Ocean, the struggle to recover what many had lost is far from over. The earthquake measuring above a nine on the Richter scale and lasting for six to seven minutes created a wall of water traveling up to 800 kilometers and hour causing widespread devastation from Indonesia to as far as Africa. This massive wave not only had size and speed, but the element of surprise and determination to destroy. Around twenty minutes after the earthquake, the ocean water receded a substantial amount so curious children could play with the fish left on the now dry sand, but it returned soon enough. While the total death toll from the disaster remains uncertain and may never be known, it stands at around 229,866 lost, including 186,983 confirmed dead and 42,883 still missing. 130,736 of the confirmed dead and 37,063 of the missing were from Indonesia (Oliver,2006). In this essay I intend to explain the survivors’ behavior and response post-tsunami disaster in Indonesia and the long-term effects it has on them.
In the post-tsunami period, the immediate response from people is to recover the dead, identify the bodies, emergency medical help for injured, prevent infectious disease, and provide emergency supplies- food, water, shelter, and sanitation- to the victims. Most underestimate the long-term impacts of the trauma after a monstrous disaster. Due to bodies decomposing within twenty-four hours from the tropic heat and the fear of the dead causing epidemics, many took it upon themselves to rapidly bury all the remains in mass graves (sometimes up to 600 people) or cremate, without identification known. This disregard increased psychological distress to survivors by not allowing them to locate their missing loved ones, plan a proper funeral, and allow them the closure they needed.  
The threat and fear of diseases spreading caused many bodies to be disposed of before any means...