A Comparative Study of Economical Impacts and Disaster Management of Tsunami in Indonesia and Sri Lanka – Research Proposal

1.0 Title             The working title of this research is initially drafted as – A Comparative Study of Economical Impacts and Disaster Management of Tsunami in Indonesia and Sri Lanka 2.0 Abstract             This qualitative study will investigate the differences between Indonesia and Sri Lanka with respect to the economical impacts and disaster management of tsunami. In this proposal, how the economy and the lives of the people are affected will be investigated. As well, how the international organisations such as the UN, World Bank and International Red Cross contributed in the fast recovery of both countries will be also addressed. 3.0 Introduction This paper discusses in detail the research proposal on the comparative study of Indonesia and Sri Lanka. In particular, the research will focus on the economical impacts and disaster management of tsunami. In this research proposal, the background, context and theme of the study are presented; the objectives of the study and the research statements are formulated. Here, vital concepts, questions and assumptions are stated. Finally, the scope and limitation of the study, methodology to be used and the significance of the research are discussed. 4.0 Statement of the problem             The profound effects of the Indian Ocean earthquake resulting to tsunami is still widely felt today. Nonetheless, the extent of economical impact of such occurrence to two of the most affected countries is not known. How the economy of Indonesia and Sri Lanka is affected and its trickle down effects of the poorest of people living in the coastal area should be determined. Why the tsunami affects that much number of the people and communities are blamed on the inefficiency and the lacking disaster preparedness of both countries. There is also a vast of worldwide humanitarian responses but it also not known the rationale and for what specific purpose the aids are intended. Finally, the functions and responsibilities of the international organisations should be recognized and how they contribute t the recovery of Indonesia and Sri Lanka.   5.0 Background to the problem             An undersea earthquake which occurred on December 26, 2004 known as the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake was perceived to be the primary reason that triggered the series of tsunamis. With the epicenter located at the west cost of Sumatra, Indonesia, the earthquake-elicited tsunamis killed more than 225, 000 people in eleven countries and flooding coastal communities of its 30 meters high waves. Dubbed as the one of the deadliest natural disasters in history, the tsunamis hit a relatively high number of countries with Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India and Thailand were the hardest hit.             Many affected people and communities prompted a widespread humanitarian response especially for those communities that heavily depended on fishing as livelihood. For instance, the Sri Lankan artisanal fishery whereby fish baskets, fishing traps and spears are commonly used; industrial fishery, as the major economic activity, provides employment to about 250, 000 people. But for Sri Lanka and Indonesia, the estimated lost of job is 1 million. For Indonesia, the affected economies are housing, commerce, agriculture and fisheries and transport vehicles and services amounting to $2.8 billion (ADB, 2006).             As such, the economical impacts of tsunamis are immense including the rapid growth and development of coastal areas, inhabitants, large fleet of ships and major port facilities, fishing industries and aqua cultural industries and canneries. However, for both Indonesia and Sri Lanka, these were obstructed by the risks posed by tsunamis such as flooding, contamination of drinking water, damaged aquatic life and loss of vital community infrastructure and livelihood (Ardalan et al). What had happened in 2004 calls for an effective disaster management which will include prevention and preparedness, hazard mitigation, emergency relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction.  6.0 Project aims and objective             The main purpose of this study is to investigate the economical implications and the disaster management of tsunami in two of the most affected countries, Indonesia and Sri Lanka. In lieu with this, the study will address the following specific objectives §         To determine the extent of the socio-economical impact of the 2004 tsunami to Indonesia and Sri Lanka §         To distinguish the international humanitarian responses intended for Indonesia and Sri Lanka §         To analyse how the 2004 tsunami affect the lives of Indonesian and Sri Lankan and the economy of both countries §         To investigate the disaster management activities after the occurrence of the tsunami   §         To identify the different tools and applications in terms of disaster management by Indonesian and Sri Lankan governments §         To establish the role of international organisations such as World Bank, UN and International Red Cross 6.1 Research objectives             The objectives of the research basically to conduct a comparative study of economical impacts between Indonesia and Sri Lanka; therefore determine disaster management process is more responsive. Based on this, the research will accomplish the following research objectives: §         Provide a comprehensive discussion about the economical impact as well as disaster management of tsunami §         Conduct a comparative study between Indonesia and Sri Lanka as the two hardest hit countries of the 2004 tsunami §         Review related literatures on economical impacts and disaster management of tsunami and how it affects Indonesia and Sri Lanka §         Assessment and evaluation of the economical impacts and disaster management of tsunami based on the experience of Indonesia and Sri Lanka §         Contribute to the research and literature of tsunami and its economical impacts and the disaster management 6.2 Research questions             To carry out the purpose of the study, the following research questions will be addressed. 1)     What are the socio-economical impacts of the tsunami to Indonesia? to Sri Lanka? How do they differ? 2)     What are the international humanitarian responses that both countries received? 3)     What had been the role of international organisations towards the full recovery of Indonesia and Sri Lanka? 4)     Generally, how does the tsunami affect the economy of Indonesia and Sri Lanka? 5)     How does the tsunami affect the lives of Indonesian? of Sri Lankan? 6)     Before and after the tsunami, what are the disaster management activities in Indonesia? in Sri Lanka? 7)     What are the different disaster management tools are in placed for Indonesia? for Sri Lanka? 6.3 Significant or justification             The study will be a significant endeavor in promoting awareness on the dangers and risks of tsunamis and how to alert people to react proactively in case of tsunamis. The study will be helpful to both Indonesian and Sri Lankan government to religiously conduct, place and monitor the efficiency of disaster management as well as to communities currently living near the cost as the research could educate them on what they should do and what help are available when tsunami occurred. Moreover, this study will be an important contribution to a body of research concerning tsunami, economical impacts and disaster management. The research may also stumble upon new problems and hypotheses that require additional research. The study may also serve as a useful reference tool for future studies. Overall, it may help boosts the growth of disaster management research. 7.0 Research design The research will be exploratory in nature. Exploratory research will enable the study to look at the problem in both descriptive and exploratory manner. It will look into the problem by exploring the views of different sets of respondents, as well as by exploring different literatures related with the study. It will also conduct experiment to observe the subjects, with the hope to find answers to the questions the study ask. This study will also employ qualitative research method because it will try to find and build theories that will explain the relationship of one variable with another variable through qualitative elements in research.   In this qualitative study, In this study, primary and secondary research will be both incorporated. The reason for this is to be able to provide adequate discussion for the readers that will help them understand more about the issue and the different variables that involve with it. The primary data for the study will be represented by the survey results that will be acquired from the respondents. On the other hand, the literature reviews to be presented in the second chapter of the study will represent the secondary data of the study. Secondary sources of data will come from published articles from journals, theses and related studies.