05.09.2006



Nias - Indonesia, Geographic Information System Project

In 2005, Nias Island was struck by an 8.6 Richter Scale earthquake. The earthquake devoured one thousand victims and hundreds of buildings were either destroyed or damaged. Nias was considered as a backwater of Indonesia by the Central Government in Jakarta, thus development proceeded at a slower rate as well. However, this did not prevent various NGOs from entering the scene in response to the disaster and to introduce new technology.

Today, these NGOs are still working on the reconstruction of the island. The Singapore Red Cross, Tomorrow's Hope, NUS as well as BRR Nias (Nias Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Agency) embarked on GIS (Geographic Information System) project recently to assist the coordination among the NGOs and government in their reconstruction efforts.

The Nias GIS Project was divided into 2 phase. The first phase was a general introduction to the GIS system. In the second phase, we attempt to convince the various NGOs as well as the government officials on the user-friendliness and usefulness of GIS. This is achieved by organizing a hands-on experience on the collection and processing of geographical information. Lastly, we arranged a detailed training on system for selected few participants who would later spearhead this project.

The GIS Workshop went smoothly and on schedule. We managed to train the workshop participants in the usage of the GPS unit, data entry and the ultimate processing of the data using the ArcView software which is part of the GIS package sponsored by the Singapore Red Cross.

By the end of this project, the Nias BRR as well as the local government showed great enthusiasm for the continuous support of this technology in the future. The team was invited to return for a broader implementation of this technology to all levels in the government upon a successful implementation of this technology among the NGOs and BRR as a prove of the utility of this technology.

The need for a GIS technology was underscored by the difficulties faced by BRR and UNHCR because of the lack of an integrated geographic information management. BRR has been trying to produce a map showing the districts in Nias. On the other hand, UNHCR (United Nation Refugee Agency) has been collecting the statistic of people displaced by the natural disaster and the need of outlaying villages in Nias Island. However, lacking the GIS technology, BRR could not produce an accurate map while UNHCR was unable to present the information in a concrete way nor share the information it has gathered to the other NGOs.

Personally, the trip serves as an eye-opener to me. I saw first hand the destruction caused by a natural disaster. Secondly, I saw how uncoordinated relief work may cause more harm than benefit to a society, as resources are used inefficiently. Lastly, I am convinced that students can play an active and constructive role in disaster relief and reconstruction in the developing countries.

SMU Volunteers,
Alvin
Cipto.H