Summary:
A tsunami is a Japanese word which roughly translates into "harbour wave" it is triggered by a vertical disturbance in the ocean for example an earthquake, landslide or volcanic eruption. The cause of the 2004 Boxing Day disaster was a large earthquake off the western coast of the Indonesian island of Sumatra, where 2 plates of the earth's crust grind against each other.
Australia & The World Tsunami essay
The 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami in the Asian region was a devastating event for the Region and the World alike and will go down in history as one of the worst widespread events the World has seen in recent years. In Australia it also had a great significance not only for the devastating Australian lives lost at such a significant time of year (Christmas) but also for the immediate and massive aid in which Australia provided proving its close ties with South East Asia and more specifically a closer relationship with Indonesia due to its significant share of that aid given to the region.
So just what was this tsunami and what caused it. A tsunami is a Japanese word which roughly translates into "harbour wave" it is triggered by a vertical disturbance in the ocean for example an earthquake, landslide or volcanic eruption. The cause of this disaster was a large earthquake off the western coast of the Indonesian island of Sumatra, where 2 plates of the earth's crust grind against each other. About 1,200 km of the Burma plate edge snapped, which forced a massive movement of water in the Indian Ocean. The waves spread in all directions, and moved at 800km/h. It struck on The 26th of December 2004.
After the wave itself subsided what has been seen is the vastly improved relationship between Australia and Indonesia. This can be seen as one of the positives to come from the tsunami which worked as a catalyst in Australia's donation of aid. This judgement is made evident from the various articles which reiterate this view. Method in mayhem by Tony Wright in The Bulletin magazine tells of how the aid has assisted in an improved relationship "Australians relationship with it's nearest neighbour Indonesia moved from a long chill to the warmest embrace" (Tony Wright, 2005). Similarly in a Transcript from AM-Aid Marks shift in Australia, Indonesia relationship, by reporter Eleanor Hall, Indonesian specialist Harold Crouch, from the Australian National University also agrees that the billion dollars in aid will show the Indonesians Australia's goodwill and will assist in a changed perception of Australians. In another interview from The World Today, Louise Yaxley interviews a former Indonesian ambassador, who tells of how she also thinks that Australia's donations have definitely contributed to an improved relationship between Australia and Indonesia. She predicts that this relationship will improve and says "I think we went up from the basement to the first floor, second floor, and I think when the President is visiting here in a short time, we will be again going up" (Wiryono Sastrohandoyo, March 2005).
In addition method of mayhem by Tony Wright and the transcript on AM- Aid Marks shift in Australia, Indonesia relationship talk of how before Boxing Day it would be near impossible for the Indonesians to allow Australian troops into such a sensitive Indonesian area like Aceh. The AM transcript says that it is almost symbolic of an improved relationship that 800-900 Australian troops will be allowed to enter, considering the previous resentment due to issues such as Australians in East Timor and Australia's involvement with the United States. "It's certainly a sharp turn from the last year or so" (Harold Crouch, 2005). Tony Wright also states that "Until Boxing Day, the mere suggestion that Australian troops would be allowed to enter was absurd" (Tony Wright, 2005). An article from, The Australian, by Patrick Walters tells of how the 800 personnel involved in Operation Tsunami is one of the biggest in peacetime deployment to Indonesia. It tells of how the predominately Muslim Aceh, until the Tsunami was a war zone closed off to any outsiders. The co-operation between the Indonesian armed forces and Australians again reiterates the more positive effect of a once seemingly impossible relationship.
This new found relationship has also prompted the Australia Indonesian Partnership for Reconstruction and Development (AIPRD). This joint commission was an historic opportunity to bring both Indonesia and Australia together to help assist Indonesia in its recovery from the loss of life and economic damage caused by the Boxing Day Tsunami. The primary objective of the AIPRD is to support Indonesia's reconstruction and development efforts, both in and beyond Tsunami effected areas, with emphasis on economic and social development. The Joint Commission will start work immediately on high priority projects such as rebuilding the hospital and restoring health and education services and local government services in Aceh. Ministers agreed that Australian, Indonesian and New Zealand companies would be eligible to compete for projects funded under the Partnership's grant and loan programs. This would allow Australian companies to gain much needed business development in Indonesia.
The immediate aid of which the government and more specifically non-government organisations provided demonstrates Australia's close ties with South-East Asia and the capacity of Australians to unite for a good cause. A day of mourning to commemorate the victims of the Boxing Day disaster demonstrates how the world alike has been brought together by this tragedy. In a transcript of an interview from AM- Australia commemorate tsunami victims with day of mourning an interview between Hamish Fitzgibbons and Madhusudan Gunpathi, Gunpathi says how he believes that the tsunami has worked in uniting Australia and Asia and that he thinks this union will be permanent. John Howard attended a Hindu temple in Sydney's west on the day and again relayed the sentiment that unity was an important outcome. Australians have indeed united and at last count according to PM- Politicians offer condolences over Tsunami on first day of Parliament, Tuesday, 8 February Australians have donated record amounts of around $250 million to aid organisations throughout Australia, the Australian World Red Cross receiving the most with $91 million, with World Vision Australia receiving almost $75 million, Care Australia with $30 million and Oxfam $21.5 million. This phenomenal amount of money again shows the generosity of Australians and their willingness to help people from all backgrounds. Money was raised through independent projects two big ones being the Wave Aid Concert, which saw bands like Midnight Oil reunite for this special cause for the first time in 7 years and the Australia Vs the World cricket match which raised around $ 8 million dollars for World Vision. This substantial contribution from the Australian public to those hit by the tsunami disaster again reiterates the idea that many Australians see themselves having close ties with the Asian region and allows the world to see this too by their overwhelming response.
In conclusion the Tsunami although a negative event, has also brought with it some positives making it a significant event for Australia for both reasons. It has encouraged a closer positive relationship with South-East Asia especially Indonesia the hardest hit, who Australia is working particularly closely with in a positive and productive way for the first time in many years, and have just now announced with the arrival of PresidentYudhoyono new agreements with Indonesia. This united effort making the region a safer and more peaceful area. The event also united Australians alike in their efforts to raise money and has shown to the world that Australians are a generous and caring nation, who is able to put aside any previously perceived differences to help its neighbours when they most need them.
