Tsunami United: How can youth invest in Tsunami Preparedness for a safer future?
Youth are among the strongest forces for building resilient communities. With their unmatched creativity, digital fluency, and adaptability, youth are strategically positioned as the frontline leaders in the tsunami preparedness. To harness this potential, UNESCO in collaboration with U-Inspire Indonesia, BMKG, and Pacifico, launched Tsunami United in 2024, a youth-led initiative connecting students across the Indian Ocean region to learn, connect, and collaborate for a safer future.
In 2025, this programme virtually brought together 331 students from 71 schools across 16 countries, engaging them in interactive learning and collaboration on tsunami awareness. Aligned with the theme of World Tsunami Awareness Day 2025 — Invest Today for a Safer Tomorrow — Tsunami United offers youth a transformative journey to invest in preparedness through education, collaboration, and active participation in a global campaign.
Over five immersive sessions, students took part in virtual simulations, explored the comprehensive school safety framework, exchanged insights on youth-led panels, and deepened their understanding of how misinformation threatens community resilience. They learned to distinguish fact from rumors in disaster-related news, empowering themselves to be credible sources of information.
Through the programme, participants became part of a growing global network of young advocates, united by their commitment to build resilient, informed, and tsunami-ready communities. Many students described that the platform significantly deepened their knowledge and understanding of tsunami preparedness.
Student from India described the experience as truly transformative.
This experience was truly transformative. I felt deep connection with the participants, as if we had become a global family, united by a shared mission to learn together and raise awareness about tsunami risks.
Pratyusha (highschool student, India)
The program completely reshaped how I see things. I realise that even small, personal actions like dedicating time to learn about disaster risks, can make a real difference in protecting and supporting the people around me.
Theresia (junior highschool student, Indonesia)
Even an observer from the United Arab Emirates, who had previously joined Tsunami United as a participant, was impressed by the activities.
The activities were engaging, they never felt like traditional classes. Instead, the sessions created an inclusive vibrant space where youth could explore, exchange ideas, and learn in dynamic, fun, and collaborative way.
Ruby (Observer & Alumni of 2024 cohort, UAE)
She remarked that the sessions never felt like traditional classes. Instead, they created an inclusive, vibrant space where youth could explore the topic, exchange ideas, and learn in a dynamic, fun, and collaborative way.
As the programme concluded, students came together to craft a pledge “A safer tomorrow begins today”
The pledge centered on investing their energy in drills, education, and preparedness, transforming themselves into the protectors of tomorrow. Recognizing that tsunamis strike without warning, these young leaders are turning awareness into action, ensuring their coastal communities remain alert, informed, and tsunami-ready.
For further information, please visit the Tsunami United website.