Tsunamis are rare but potentially devastating and pose a special challenge that requires public awareness and preparedness efforts. 20 Years After the Indian Ocean Tsunami: Lessons from a Destructive Disaster Climate and Environment
Twenty years ago, on December 26, 2004, the world experienced one of the most devastating disasters in modern history: the Indian Ocean tsunami killed an estimated 230,000 people and caused death and destruction in 14 countries.
For Kamal Kishore, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Disaster Risk Reduction, the tragedy was a turning point. “The tsunami sent a wake-up call to humanity that we need to better understand disaster risks,” he says.
The tsunami’s devastating impacts reached not only Asian countries like Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India and Thailand, but also remote communities. “The tsunami reached as far as East Africa,” says Kamal Kishore. – And for Sweden, the tsunami remains the largest disaster this century in terms of deaths.”
For Sweden, the tsunami remains the largest disaster this century in terms of deaths
Reflecting on the lessons he learned from his time serving in the relief and recovery efforts in 2004 and 2005 as a staff member for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Kamal Kishore points out that the global community showed that it could come together to respond to a crisis, mobilising all the resources and funding needed. “Humans are capable of boundless compassion, generosity and solidarity,” he says.
Early Warning Systems
Later, countries separated by thousands of kilometres of ocean came together to create the Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System. “This was achieved with the assistance of UNESCO and through the efforts of countries in the Global South – India and Indonesia, as well as Japan, Australia and the United States,” says Kamal Kishore. “However, early warning systems are not a one-time investment; they need to be continually improved and tested frequently.”
Early warning systems are not a one-time investment; they need to be continually improved and tested frequently
This effort is further strengthened by the UN Secretary-General’s Early Warning for All initiative, an ambitious plan to achieve universal early warning coverage by 2027. The plan covers forecasting and public information systems for a range of natural hazards, including tsunamis and other extreme weather and climate events.
Tsunamis are rare but potentially devastating and present a special challenge that requires public information and preparedness efforts.
“This is why the Japanese government has advocated for tsunami awareness and why the General Assembly designated 5 November as World Tsunami Awareness Day in 2015,” says Kamal Kishore.
A Holistic Approach
Looking to the future, Kamal Kishore calls for a holistic approach to ensuring human resilience to natural hazards: “It’s not just about building stronger structures, but also about strengthening communities. This requires a keen understanding of the socio-economic and cultural context.”
The UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative highlights the important protective role of natural ecosystems such as mangroves, which, for example, mitigated the impact of the tsunami in India. “Protecting coastal communities requires a smart combination of resilient infrastructure and natural assets,” he says.
A Responsibility for Future Generations
Speaking about the Indian Ocean tsunami, Kamal Kishore reminds humanity of its shared responsibility for future generations: “We must not forget the lessons of 2004. Investing in early warning systems and disaster education is an investment in our children’s future.”
With the growing risk of climate disasters, these lessons are more relevant than ever, he stresses – by acting on what we have learned from past disasters, we can turn tragic memories into the foundation for a safer and more resilient future.