Earthquake and tsunami questionnaires in Banda Aceh and surrounding areas

Purpose The paper aims to study the effects of the tsunami that affected Banda Aceh in 2004. Design/methodology/approach During a survey by Japanese researchers in Banda Aceh and surrounding areas in Indonesia after the great Sumatra earthquake, questionnaires were distributed to the people affected by the earthquake and tsunami. The purpose of the questionnaires was to collect information of what happened and what were expected by the affected people to be safe against future earthquake and tsunami. The questionnaires consisted of questions asking their experience during and after the earthquake and tsunami. Findings One important result of the questionnaires shows that even if people had started running away just after the big earthquake, the percentage of expected survivors would have been less than 100 percent. Originality/value The paper shows that education, socialization (software) and escape structures, warning system, wave resisting structures (hardware) are important factors for people to be safer against future earthquake and tsunami attacks.