Update

In support of government efforts to raise awareness and prepare vulnerable communities for the possible occurrence of a tsunami, stakeholders such as business networks may organize activities to contribute to tsunami preparedness.

The Pacific Island of Tonga is stepping up action on early warnings and preparedness following a powerful tsunami last year.

November 5 is World Tsunami Awareness Day. The aftermath of the 2004 event showed that tsunamis, like all disasters, are not gender-neutral; a disproportionate percentage of the fatalities were female.

Early warning systems alert communities that a tsunami is on its way – but the public needs to be prepared to act and reduce the risk. A new UNDRR initiative inspires tsunami preparedness.

The Great East Japan Earthquake, which took place on 11 March 2011, was the most powerful earthquake ever recorded in Japan, reaching a magnitude of 9.0 and bringing unprecedented disaster to the Tohoku region and other areas.

At the High School Students Summit on World Tsunami Awareness Day 2022 in Niigata, Japan, students from around the world gathered – both virtually and in person – to discuss, learn, and reaffirm their commitment to disaster risk reduction.

Over 500 people joined an online high-level event to mark the 6th World Tsunami Awareness Day today. The accent was very much on science and youth, and the inclusion of tsunami risk in the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development.

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought new challenges to disaster risk reduction, disaster response and planning for safe evacuation from disaster events - including tsunamis. World Tsunami Day promotes a global culture for tsunami preparedness and response.

The best emergency plans need to be comprehensive yet simple. Including early warnings, safe areas, and escapes routes in your tsunami escape plan is essential.

Five countries pave the way for progress in the implementation of effective tsunami early warning systems, which are challenging due to multi-faceted complexity.