On World Tsunami Awareness Day, a reminder to be Tsunami Ready, because resilience starts with you.

In December 2004, a ten-year-old girl named Tilly Smith was on a beach holiday with her family in Thailand when she noticed unusual changes in the sea. Recognizing the warning signs of a tsunami, she alerted her family. The beach was evacuated and many lives were saved.  

Tilly's story is a testament to the power of risk knowledge and personal preparedness. We want everyone to have this power, which is why the theme of this year's World Tsunami Awareness Day is "Be Tsunami Ready: Resilience Starts with You."  

In marking this day, we all have a responsibility to take three actions:

First, learn the signs.  

Familiarize yourself with the tsunami early warning system in your area and know the best evacuation routes. That said, warnings may sometimes arrive late, or not at all, so know the signs of a tsunami. If you feel the ground shake near the coast, if you see an unusual rise or fall in the water level, or hear a loud roar from the ocean – head to high ground.  

Second, practice.  

A tsunami can strike at any hour. Electricity and communication may be disrupted. That is why families, schools, workplaces and communities must know in advance where to evacuate and how to get there. Practice, regular drills and having a preparedness plan can make a critical difference when every minute counts.

Third, leave no one behind.

Those most impacted by disasters are often those who require assistance or special arrangements, such as children, persons with disabilities, and older persons. Ensuring that they receive alerts and can act on them requires advanced planning that takes their needs into account.

We hope no one ever has to face a tsunami. But if you do, following these actions will increase the likelihood that you, your family and community survive the encounter.

Be tsunami ready, because resilience starts with you.