Central Sulawesi Field Survey

On September 28th, 2018, Palu was struck by a devastating earthquake, leaving indelible scars on both its residents and the nation of Indonesia as a whole. Operating as a global think tank, with a significant focus on disaster management, we are committed to gathering and continuously updating our knowledge base concerning ongoing disasters. This knowledge serves a dual purpose: it enhances understanding and awareness among those directly affected by such disasters and provides vital insights for the authorities tasked with relief and rehabilitation efforts.

RDI has been entrusted with the responsibility of formulating a Recovery Master Plan, aimed at aiding Palu in its arduous journey towards recovery. Dr. Saut Sagala is instrumental in this endeavor. The final document resulting from this effort will offer a vision of what Palu could become in the future. In addition to this, RDI has established a Knowledge Management Center dedicated to the Palu Earthquake. This center's mission is to meticulously record and report on various aspects of the earthquake in Palu, including its occurrence, the resulting impacts and losses, the measures taken for handling the situation, as well as the assessments and progress made in the rehabilitation and reconstruction processes.

Given that Palu is a densely populated coastal city, it represents just one of many urban areas vulnerable to potential tsunamis. The multifaceted nature of a tsunami disaster, encompassing early warning systems, recovery planning, and rehabilitation, holds a wealth of untapped knowledge that should be harnessed to prepare for similar scenarios in the future, as exemplified by recent events in Banten.

Recognizing this imperative, RDI initiated a field survey in Palu from November 27th to November 29th, in collaboration with Dr. Gavin Sullivan from Coventry University. The objectives of this survey were to assess the physical environment's impact resulting from various disasters, including liquefaction, tsunamis, earthquakes, and landslides. Equally significant was the endeavor to understand the profound effects on the local population. Moreover, this survey facilitated our introduction to Ahmad Imam, a geological engineering lecturer from Tadulako University, who represents our partner institution in this region. Overall, we have come to appreciate the paramount importance and timeliness of conducting research in this area, given that two devastating tsunamis have struck in the past six months, causing extensive damage. The knowledge we stand to gain from this undertaking holds immeasurable significance.