Statistical Data Stories For Indonesia: Disaster Resilience and Post-Disaster Economic Direction

Indonesia is a disaster-prone region, situated at the meeting point of three active tectonic plates—the Indo-Australian, Eurasian, and Pacific plates—and positioned within the Pacific Ring of Fire. Its tropical geography further increases the risk of hydrometeorological disasters, such as floods and landslides. Disaster risk is determined not only by the magnitude of natural hazards but also by the level of adaptive capacity and economic resilience at the village level. Natural disasters are not merely environmental events; they are economic shocks that impact the economic structure of villages. Beyond causing physical damage, disasters trigger shifts in economic activities. Therefore, village resilience cannot rely solely on physical risk mitigation; it must be anchored in building economic capacity as a foundation for long-term recovery. Post-disaster economies can move in three different directions: a temporary loss, a permanent loss, or even a resurgence through creative construction. A case study of the 2018 earthquake in Palu and Donggala reveals contrasting recovery patterns. Palu demonstrates a faster and more adaptive convergence phase, while Donggala follows a path of gradual recovery. This suggests that post-disaster policies must shift from simple infrastructure repair toward strengthening regional productive capacities to accelerate mid-term economic convergence.