The impact of tsunamis can be truly devastating. From densely populated coastal cities to small islands, tsunamis wipe out decades of progress towards sustainable development and take lives, destroy vital infrastructure, social services and economies, and displace people. Communities caught in their paths can endure the social, economic and psychological impacts for many years.
To protect the lives of people and prevent damage caused by tsunamis, the United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution A/RES/70/203 in November 2015 which designates 5 November every year as World Tsunami Awareness Day. The Assembly invited all Member States, organizations of the United Nations system, other international and regional organizations, as well as civil society, to observe World Tsunami Awareness Day. UNISDR and partners mark the World Tsunami Awareness Day by raising public awareness of the risk caused by tsunamis.
Around the world, World Tsunami Awareness Day events aim to raise awareness on the threat posed by tsunamis and equip governments and communities with the knowledge they need to reduce their risk and to be better prepared for an effective response when a tsunami approaches. Incorporating disaster risk reduction education and awareness and effective multi-hazard early warnings into national and local disaster risk reduction strategies will contribute to the achievement of the SDGs.
- Organization: United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR)
