World Tsunami Awareness Day

  In order to protect life and property from the damage caused by a theoretical tsunami ,  The type and scale of potential damage must first be estimated . This estimate is derived from evaluations of damage caused by past tsunamis , along with current land use, population, agglomeration of buildings and industries in the at-risk community. The feasibility of evacuation is evaluated by comparing the time required to escape to safety zones from thestart of the evacuation to the estimated arrival time ofa tsunami . The starting time for evacuation should be set based on the warning system and evacuation plan of the target area.  

  Once the basic survey, research and damage estimate have been carried out, the vulnerability of the target area can be assessed. Two protective measures that should be assessed are profiled in Table 9 ‘Items for identifying tasks’ and comprise:  1. Urban planning based on tsunami preparedness ; and  2. The organizational system for dealing with emergencies .  Based on weaknesses found in these two measures, planners will be able to determine and assess problem areas needing attention.

   Implementing a tsunami preparedness plan should form just one part of a local authority’s overall hazard mitigation plan. Planners will be responsible for determining content, organization, method, schedule, and required funding. The most effective plan, however, will be based directly on local socio-economic conditions and will incorporate the two main areas of preparedness outlined in Step Four, taking into account the problems and tasks described therein. Financial restrictions, effectiveness of readiness measures and their effects on the community’s daily life also need to be incorporated. In this way, a comprehensive plan can be adopted based on measures prioritized according to urgency, importance and feasibility.

Even with today’s sophisticated technology, much remains to be learned about tsunamis. Unfortunately, their location and magnitude are very difficult to predict. When a tsunami is generated, its height and arrival time vary according to local coastal configurations. The resulting types of damage can further complicate safety planning. Millions of lives are potentially at risk from the threat of tsunamis.  The UNESCO IOC provides a general plan of action and basic framework for dealing with the unique hazards resulting from tsunamis.  We strongly recommend that local authorities take into account each community’s unique circumstances and periodically review current action plans . In this way, planners will be able to adapt each community’s unique topography, special circumstances, changes in the social environment and scientific research to the proposed overall strategy contained in this guide.

  In December 2015, the United Nations General Assembly designated  November 5th as  World Tsunami Awareness Day with the Resolution A/RES/70/203 to boost global efforts to strengthen tsunami preparedness. By the year 2030, an estimated 50 % of the world’s population will live in coastal areas exposed to flooding, storms and tsunamis. Scaling up international cooperation to developing countries will help ensure that 100% of communities at risk of tsunami are prepared for and resilient to tsunamis by 2030 . The General Assembly,  Recalling the Sendai Declaration and the Sendai Framework for Disaster RiskReduction 2015–2030 , adopted at the Third United Nations World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction, as endorsed by the General Assembly in its resolution 69/283 of 3 June 2015, and recognizing that one of the priorities for action of the Sendai Framework is an understanding of disaster risk for prevention and mitigation and for the development and implementa...

The Tsunami Ready Programme lead by UNESCO-IOC. It is a voluntary, performance-based recognition initiative that promotes comprehensive tsunami preparedness at the community level. It encourages coastal communities to adopt mitigation measures that align with a standardized set of indicators. The programme contributes significantly to achieving the goal of the Sendai Framework of reducing disaster losses by promoting resilience building measures that protect lives, livelihoods, and economies from the devastating impacts of tsunamis from all sources . While being recognized as Tsunami Ready does not guarantee immunity from tsunami impacts, it signifies that a community has taken essential steps to minimize potential losses and protect its residents.  More about the programme

Global analysis estimates US$4–36 billion in annual benefits for roughly US$1 billion/year invested in modern early warning , including approx. 23,000 lives saved per year . (World Bank)