Preparation makes the difference in natural disasters

"We need to invest in things like effective early warning systems, secure homes and livelihoods, and strong local disaster management capacity. We also need to make sure we listen to women, men and young people in communities, who know best how to prepare and respond to disasters in their local context," writes Andrew Hewett, executive director of Oxfam Australia for ABC.

In his opinion piece, he welcomes the tsunami alert in Indonesia and reminds us that, "in a world where the frequency and intensity of natural disasters is expected to rise in the coming decades, it becomes even more important to look at how we support communities – and make sure they are as prepared as they can be for the next time."