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On November 5, the world marked World Tsunami Awareness Day (WTAD), a key moment for reflection and education about one of the deadliest natural disasters in modern history—the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. As the 20th anniversary of that catastrophe approaches, global commemorations aim to empower children and youth with vital knowledge about tsunami preparedness and survival.

The 2004 tsunami, triggered by a powerful undersea earthquake off the coast of Sumatra, Indonesia, devastated coastal communities in 14 countries, leaving around 230,000 people dead or missing. It was the first global disaster of the 21st century, and its effects are still felt in the region today. For many survivors, the lessons learned from the disaster—such as recognizing the warning signs of a tsunami and knowing to seek higher ground—have become ingrained in their memories. But as time passes, many children and youth who were born after the tragedy or were too young to remember it stand to benefit from these critical lessons.

Passing the Torch of Knowledge to a New Generation

The 2024 theme for WTAD, “Empowering the next generation with the lessons of the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami,” emphasizes the need to equip today’s youth with the skills and knowledge to respond effectively to future tsunami threats. This year’s commemorations also highlight progress made in the development and expansion of early warning systems, which are now capable of providing timely alerts to millions of people in tsunami-prone areas.

A key initiative associated with this year’s observance is the #GetToHighGround campaign, which urges young people to understand the importance of recognizing tsunami warnings and the critical need to evacuate to higher ground. The simple message, "When the earth shakes, go up and stay up," could save countless lives in the event of a tsunami, and experts are hoping to make it a global rallying cry.

The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, a landmark international agreement, calls for greater engagement of youth in disaster preparedness and resilience efforts. It stresses that empowering young people through education can make them not only survivors but also leaders who can help spread these lessons to their communities. This year’s WTAD commemoration aligns with the goals of the framework and highlights the crucial role that children and young people play in disaster risk reduction.

Global Progress and the Importance of Early Warning Systems

As part of the global push for more comprehensive disaster risk management, the United Nations has focused significant efforts on improving early warning systems for tsunamis. The “Early Warnings for All” initiative, launched by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, aims to ensure that everyone on the planet is protected by some form of early warning by 2027. Progress has been made in recent years, with new technology and better coordination between countries helping to provide more timely and accurate warnings.

However, much work remains. Many regions, especially those that are remote or underserved, still lack effective communication systems to warn citizens about impending tsunamis. As part of this initiative, WTAD 2024 emphasizes the importance of continued investments in technology and community outreach to ensure that people know what to do when disaster strikes.