earthquake/tsunami thoughts i posted those last few links without commentary because i realize that i lack the necessary knowledge of prior disasters and the subsequent responses by the international community. so, instead of evaluation, i'll post my thoughts...

i worry most about the regions in the north of sri lanka and the north of sumatra which are experiencing the disaster while in the midst of political turmoil. i know that governments often cannot resist the temptation to use disaster and control of life-preserving supplies as a tool to utilize for their own political gain. if supplies were not allowed to pass through to the tamil region of sri lanka and the aceh province of indonesia, it would be an unthinkable tragedy.

i wonder how long of a period of time the residents of coastal western sumatra had between the crippling earthquake and the devastating tsunami. with no knowledge to back this up, i would think that they were quite likely affected to an even greater extent because any infrastructure which they could have used to avoid the tsunami was probably either destroyed by the earthquake or weakened to such an extent that the violence of the waves surely finished it off.

on another note, i am thinking that maybe i should see what sort of help the indonesian government might need with coordination of developmental relief funding and effort for the affected regions of sumatra. although initial cleanup and disaster aid work will be completed by the time i arrive, i've read that the rebuilding process will take a number of years. i assume that much of this will take place due to the generosity of organizations and governments that do not speak bahasa. perhaps they would be in need of some sort of liason - or assistant liason - to help streamline communications and coordination with the various relief agencies.  ¶ 2:07 AM