World Tsunami Awareness Day

𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐋𝐃 𝐓𝐒𝐔𝐍𝐀𝐌𝐈 𝐀𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐒 𝐃𝐀𝐘 – 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔

𝐁𝐄 𝐓𝐒𝐔𝐍𝐀𝐌𝐈 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐘: 𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐈𝐋𝐈𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐒 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐘𝐎𝐔

𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝟓 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔

𝐎𝐛𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞: World Tsunami Awareness Day

𝐓𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩: Schools, Colleges, Universities, Nursing Colleges, Coastal Communities, Youth Clubs, Community Organisations and Volunteers

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐈𝐆𝐍𝐈𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐋𝐃 𝐓𝐒𝐔𝐍𝐀𝐌𝐈 𝐀𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐒 𝐃𝐀𝐘

World Tsunami Awareness Day is observed every year on 5 November to promote global awareness of tsunami risks and the importance of preparedness.

The United Nations General Assembly designated this day in December 2015 to encourage countries, organisations and communities to strengthen tsunami awareness and disaster-risk reduction.

A tsunami is a series of powerful ocean waves usually generated by underwater earthquakes. Underwater landslides, volcanic eruptions and other major disturbances can also cause tsunamis.

The Indian Ocean tsunami of 26 December 2004 demonstrated the devastating impact of such disasters on coastal communities, families, livelihoods and infrastructure.

The 2026 theme, “Be Tsunami Ready: Resilience Starts With You”, highlights the importance of individual responsibility, family preparedness, community awareness, evacuation planning and early action.

Tsunami preparedness is not only the responsibility of governments and disaster-management authorities. Every student, teacher, family and community member has a role in protecting lives.

𝐎𝐁𝐉𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐕𝐄𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐁𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍

• To create awareness about tsunamis and their causes.

• To educate students about natural tsunami warning signs.

• To promote early evacuation and disaster preparedness.

• To familiarise communities with evacuation routes and safe locations.

• To encourage schools and colleges to develop disaster-management plans.

• To promote cooperation among educational institutions, local authorities and community organisations.

• To strengthen the participation of young people in disaster-risk reduction.

• To connect disaster preparedness with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐀𝐒𝐒𝐄𝐌𝐁𝐋𝐘 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐌𝐌𝐄

Schools and colleges may organise a special awareness assembly featuring:

• An introduction to World Tsunami Awareness Day and its 2026 theme.

• A simple explanation of how tsunamis develop.

• A presentation on the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and its lessons.

• Student speeches on disaster preparedness and community resilience.

• A demonstration of natural tsunami warning signs.

• A presentation on evacuation routes, emergency kits and family communication plans.

• A short skit showing how timely evacuation can save lives.

• A disaster-preparedness pledge.

• A moment of remembrance for people affected by past tsunamis and other disasters.

𝐒𝐓𝐔𝐃𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐕𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐄𝐒

• Essay Competition: “Be Tsunami Ready – Save Lives Through Preparedness.”

• Speech Competition: “Disaster Awareness Begins with Education.”

• Poster Competition: “Know the Signs. Move to Safety.”

• Drawing Competition: “A Safe and Disaster-Resilient Coastal Community.”

• Quiz Programme: Tsunamis, earthquakes, oceans and disaster management.

• Model Exhibition: Demonstrate how underwater earthquakes can generate tsunami waves.

• Map Activity: Identify coastal areas, evacuation routes and safe locations using authorised local information.

• Storytelling: Share lessons from the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.

• Emergency Kit Display: Demonstrate essential items required during emergencies.

• Safety Slogan Competition: Encourage students to create simple and memorable tsunami-safety messages.

• Digital Presentation: Explain early-warning systems and the importance of responding to official alerts.

• Disaster Awareness Wall: Display emergency instructions, preparedness tips and important contacts.

𝐒𝐂𝐇𝐎𝐎𝐋 𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐍

Every school may implement the following activities:

• Disaster Preparedness Committee: Establish or strengthen a school disaster-management team.

• Evacuation Awareness: Explain safe evacuation procedures using locally approved routes.

• Emergency Contact Display: Display relevant emergency contact numbers and institutional communication procedures.

• Safety Map: Display the school's evacuation map and designated assembly points.

• Emergency Kit: Demonstrate a basic emergency kit containing drinking water, a first-aid kit, torch, batteries, essential medicines and necessary documents.

• Student Safety Clubs: Encourage students to learn and share disaster-preparedness information.

• Family Preparedness: Ask students to discuss emergency plans with their families.

• Inclusive Safety Planning: Consider the needs of children, older persons and persons with disabilities.

• Teacher Training: Arrange disaster-awareness sessions with qualified disaster-management personnel.

• Mock Drill: Conduct an age-appropriate evacuation drill in coordination with the competent local authorities.

𝐊𝐍𝐎𝐖 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐀𝐋 𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐒𝐈𝐆𝐍𝐒

Students and community members should learn to recognise these possible tsunami warning signs:

• Strong or prolonged earthquake near the coast.

• Sudden and unusual rise or fall in sea level.

• A loud roaring sound coming from the ocean.

• Official tsunami warnings issued by authorised authorities.

𝐈𝐌𝐏𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐓 𝐒𝐀𝐅𝐄𝐓𝐘 𝐌𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐀𝐆𝐄

If you experience strong or prolonged earthquake shaking near the coast, or notice unusual sea behaviour:

• Move immediately to higher ground or as far inland as possible.

• Do not wait for an official warning if natural warning signs are present.

• Follow designated evacuation routes and instructions from authorities.

• Stay away from beaches, harbours, river mouths and coastal areas.

• Never go to the shore to watch the waves.

• Do not return until the authorities officially declare the area safe.

The first tsunami wave may not be the largest. Dangerous waves and currents may continue for hours. Never assume that the danger has passed after one wave.

𝐎𝐍𝐄 𝐖𝐄𝐄𝐊 • 𝐎𝐍𝐄 𝐒𝐀𝐅𝐄𝐓𝐘 𝐌𝐈𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐎𝐍

Institutions may conduct a seven-day awareness programme.

Day 1 – Understanding Tsunamis: Learn about tsunami formation, causes and historical events.

Day 2 – Warning Signs: Understand earthquake shaking, unusual sea-level changes and official warnings.

Day 3 – Evacuation Awareness: Learn about safe routes, high-ground locations and evacuation procedures.

Day 4 – Emergency Preparedness: Prepare a family emergency plan and demonstrate an emergency kit.

Day 5 – Community Safety: Discuss the protection of children, older persons and persons with disabilities.

Day 6 – Disaster Simulation: Conduct an approved school or community evacuation drill.

Day 7 – Youth Action: Organise a public-awareness campaign and share preparedness messages.

𝐂𝐎𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐆𝐄𝐒 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐄𝐒

Higher educational institutions may organise:

• Seminars on tsunami science and disaster-risk reduction.

• Expert lectures by disaster-management professionals and coastal scientists.

• Model exhibitions explaining tsunami formation and early-warning systems.

• Research presentations on the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.

• Student projects on coastal vulnerability and community resilience.

• Workshops on emergency communication and evacuation planning.

• Awareness programmes on the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.

• Inter-collegiate competitions on disaster preparedness.

• Community outreach programmes in coastal and vulnerable areas.

• Youth-led campaigns promoting tsunami preparedness.

𝐍𝐔𝐑𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐂𝐎𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐆𝐄𝐒 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐋𝐓𝐇 𝐈𝐍𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐓𝐔𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒

Nursing colleges can contribute significantly to disaster preparedness and humanitarian response.

• Conduct first-aid awareness sessions.

• Educate communities about safe drinking water and sanitation after disasters.

• Explain basic hygiene and infection-prevention measures in emergency shelters.

• Promote awareness of psychological first aid and emotional support.

• Discuss the healthcare needs of pregnant women, infants, older persons and persons with disabilities during emergencies.

• Demonstrate the importance of essential medicines and emergency medical supplies.

• Organise health-awareness programmes in coastal communities with authorised professionals.

• Explain the importance of maintaining continuity of healthcare during disasters.

All practical medical demonstrations and clinical activities must follow institutional protocols and professional requirements.

𝐂𝐎𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐋 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍

Coastal communities, fishing communities, tourism operators and local organisations can participate in preparedness activities.

• Familiarise residents with locally designated evacuation routes.

• Promote awareness among fishing communities and coastal workers.

• Encourage families to prepare emergency communication plans.

• Display multilingual tsunami-safety information.

• Encourage hotels, schools and public buildings in vulnerable areas to display evacuation instructions.

• Promote awareness of official warning systems.

• Include tourists and visitors in local preparedness information.

• Support community-based disaster-management programmes.

𝐕𝐎𝐋𝐔𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐄𝐑 𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐌𝐌𝐄

Volunteers can transform awareness into practical community preparedness.

• Support disaster-awareness campaigns in coastal communities.

• Help distribute verified safety information in local languages.

• Assist authorised agencies during approved preparedness programmes.

• Help identify people who may require additional evacuation assistance, with their consent and appropriate safeguards.

• Support community mapping and awareness activities using official information.

• Promote emergency-kit preparation and family communication plans.

• Encourage participation in authorised evacuation drills.

• Document community-awareness activities and educational outcomes.

Volunteers should never enter hazardous areas or undertake rescue operations without appropriate training and authorisation.

𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐓𝐇 𝐂𝐀𝐌𝐏𝐀𝐈𝐆𝐍

“𝐎𝐍𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐔𝐃𝐄𝐍𝐓 • 𝐎𝐍𝐄 𝐅𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐘 𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐍 • 𝐎𝐍𝐄 𝐒𝐀𝐅𝐄𝐑 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐘”

Every student, teacher and volunteer is encouraged to:

• Learn the natural warning signs of a tsunami.

• Know the nearest designated evacuation route.

• Discuss an emergency plan with family members.

• Keep essential emergency supplies ready.

• Share verified safety information with friends and neighbours.

• Help children and vulnerable people understand evacuation procedures.

• Participate in authorised disaster-preparedness drills.

• Never spread unverified disaster information or rumours.

𝐒𝐏𝐄𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐋 𝐌𝐄𝐆𝐀 𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐀𝐒

Institutions and community organisations may organise:

• Tsunami Preparedness Exhibition.

• Coastal Safety Awareness Walk.

• #GetToHighGround Awareness Campaign.

• Disaster Management and Emergency Response Seminar.

• Inter-School Disaster Preparedness Competition.

• Community Emergency Kit Demonstration.

• Coastal Evacuation Awareness Programme.

• Youth Disaster Resilience Conference.

• First-Aid and Emergency Health Awareness Camp.

• Community Preparedness Drill in coordination with local authorities.

Any public march, coastal activity or evacuation exercise must be planned with the relevant authorities and must not expose participants to danger.

𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐍𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝟏𝟕 𝐔𝐍 𝐒𝐔𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐁𝐋𝐄 𝐃𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐋𝐎𝐏𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐆𝐎𝐀𝐋𝐒

SDG 1 – No Poverty: Protect vulnerable communities and livelihoods from disaster impacts.

SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-Being: Strengthen emergency health awareness and preparedness.

SDG 4 – Quality Education: Promote disaster-risk education in schools and colleges.

SDG 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation: Encourage safe water and sanitation preparedness.

SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure: Promote resilient infrastructure and early-warning technology.

SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities: Build safer and more resilient coastal settlements.

SDG 13 – Climate Action: Strengthen disaster-risk reduction and climate resilience.

SDG 14 – Life Below Water: Promote responsible protection of marine and coastal ecosystems.

SDG 16 – Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: Encourage effective disaster-management institutions and public safety systems.

SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals: Strengthen cooperation among governments, educational institutions, scientific organisations and communities.

𝐂𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐋 𝐌𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐀𝐆𝐄

A tsunami cannot always be prevented, but its devastating impact can be reduced through knowledge, early warnings, preparedness and timely evacuation.

A warning becomes meaningful only when people understand it and act upon it. A community becomes resilient when every family knows what to do, every institution is prepared and no vulnerable person is left behind.

Preparedness is not fear. It is responsibility. Awareness is not merely information. It is protection.

𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐋𝐃 𝐓𝐒𝐔𝐍𝐀𝐌𝐈 𝐀𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐒 𝐃𝐀𝐘 𝐏𝐋𝐄𝐃𝐆𝐄

“We pledge to learn about tsunami risks, recognise natural warning signs, follow official safety instructions, prepare our families and support vulnerable members of our communities. We will promote disaster awareness, participate in preparedness activities and share reliable safety information. We believe that knowledge, cooperation and timely action can save lives. Together, we will work towards safer and more resilient communities.”

𝐃𝐎𝐂𝐔𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐎𝐔𝐓𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐄𝐒

Participating institutions are encouraged to maintain an activity report containing:

• Name of the institution and department.

• Date, venue and programme title.

• Theme and objectives.

• Activities conducted and number of participants.

• Details of awareness sessions and authorised drills.

• SDGs addressed.

• Student and volunteer contributions.

• Educational outcomes and follow-up actions.

• Selected photographs and a group photograph, with appropriate consent.

Institutions should ensure that photographs and personal information are shared responsibly, particularly when children are involved.

𝐒𝐔𝐁𝐌𝐈𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐎𝐅 𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐕𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐑𝐄𝐏𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐒

Institutions wishing to share their World Tsunami Awareness Day activity reports through the relevant UN Volunteers–India initiative may use the prescribed submission channel, where applicable.

WhatsApp: 9944313953

Suggested submission:

• Institution name and location.

• World Tsunami Awareness Day activity report.

• Date and number of participants.

• Brief description of activities and outcomes.

• Selected photographs or a short video, with appropriate consent.

• SDGs addressed and proposed follow-up activities.

Please confirm the applicable programme guidelines and submission requirements before sending material. Any recognition or certificate is subject to the relevant programme's guidelines and approval.

𝐀 𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐋 𝐔𝐍 𝐕𝐎𝐋𝐔𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐄𝐑𝐒–𝐈𝐍𝐃𝐈𝐀 𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍

𝐁𝐄 𝐀𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐄. 𝐁𝐄 𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐄𝐃. 𝐒𝐀𝐕𝐄 𝐋𝐈𝐕𝐄𝐒.

“Resilience starts with you. Learn the warning signs, know your evacuation route, prepare your family and help your community. One informed action today can save many lives tomorrow.”

Official references

* United Nations – [World Tsunami Awareness Day](https://www.un.org/en/events/tsunamiday/index.shtml?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

* UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction – [2026 theme and concept note](https://www.undrr.org/publication/documents-and-publications/concept-note-world-tsunami-awareness-day-2026?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

* UNDRR – [2026 campaign and preparedness information](https://tsunamiday.undrr.org/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)