Re:A thing I don't understand (Score 1)

As far as the long-tern economic damage, we really have no clue yet. These are matitime economies, depending on fishing and the import of essentials and exports of commodoties for their incomes. In many of the hardest hit areas, especially Indonesia, the fishing fleets are wrecked and beached far inland, the fisherman are dead, the the port facilities are also wrecked and the people needed to run and repair them are also dead. In addition, the underwater topography of many of the shipping channels has probably also changed, requiring redredging. Getting these areas back on their economic feet will require a couple years and sustained technical assistance. Many areas, Aceh especially, may never really recover due to the immense loss of life.

This is not just a matter of money: nothing can really replace the loss of human capital. Indonesia especially may never really recover, but will be handicapped for decades. If I was a betting man, I would not be laying money on the long-term viability of the current Indonesian government.