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World Tsunami Awareness Day is annually observed on 5th November under the authority of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Management (UNODRM). This day serves as an opportunity to raise awareness about the dangerous effects on human lives and resources because of tsunamis. Tsunamis are natural disasters caused by the displacement of a large volume of water in an ocean, sea or lake. This global event was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015 when Resolution 70/24 was passed. In this blog, you will read about World Tsunami Awareness Day, its history, significance, and more details.
| Event | World Tsunami Awareness Day |
| Organising Body | United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Management (UNODRM) |
| Date | 5th November |
| Theme | Empowering the next generation with the lessons of the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami |
| Objective | Raising awareness about tsunamis and their effect on human lives and resources |
| Official Website | https://www.un.org/en/observances/tsunami-awareness-day |
Table of Contents
History of World Tsunami Awareness Day
Given the number of times in the past 100 years, there have been 58 tsunamis on record. This might not sound too dangerous, but the single event itself is catastrophic; causing death and destruction to human lives and other resources. One of the deadliest tsunamis occurred in 2004 in the Indian Ocean, which had an impact on 14 Asian countries and more than 2 lac people lost their livelihoods.
It is events like this one and several others which led to the emergence of WTAD on 22nd December 2015. The Japanese delegations asked for a special request to observe this global event on this day because this day was celebrated as The Fire of Rice Sheaves, a traditional Japanese tale. Hamaguchi Goryo was the central figure of this festival.
According to the Japanese records, Hamaguchi protected his village from the tsunami and an earthquake in 1894, where he burned his rice crop to warm and guide the villages to a safe location. Later on, 5th November was selected as the day to observe this international event.
What is World Tsunami Awareness Day?
World Tsunami Awareness Day (WTAD) is an initiative of the UNGA to raise awareness about the effects of tsunamis and related natural calamities on humans and the natural world. To enhance public participation, the UNGA passed Resolution 70/23 in 2015. Marked the beginning of the (WTAD) with international events organised by different nations.
According to the reports proposed in the UNGA, a total of 58 tsunamis took place in the last 100 years, in which the death toll crossed 2.5 lacs. In the last two decades, tsunamis have caused $200 billion worth of damage. Moreover, there are estimations that the death toll due to tsunamis will increase in the near future, which will have an impact on people residing in the coastal areas, and those relying on resources available there.
Also Read: World Environment Health Day
What is the Theme of World Tsunami Awareness Day in 2024?
The theme of World Tsunami Awareness Day in 2024 is inspired by the 20th anniversary of the Indian Ocean Tsunami. On December 26, 2004, Indonesia’s history witnessed one of the worst disasters. A magnitude 9.1 submarine earthquake shook the Indian Ocean subduction zone, leading to a massive tsunami that destroyed about 800 km of the coastal areas of Aceh Province. Thus the theme is, “Empowering the next generation with the lessons of the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami“.
Also Read: World First Aid Day: History & Significance
Significance of World Tsunami Awareness Day
Given the number of death tolls and the damage to natural and man-made resources caused by tsunamis, it is of immense significance to understand what changes this day can bring. Here are some reasons which state the significance of WTAD.
- This day enhances the coordination among international and national organizations to raise tsunami warnings in the regions prone to this calamity
- With activities, events and seminars organised across the globe, people are encouraged to participate to raise awareness about safety protocols and the aftermath of tsunamis
- Various mitigation measures are highlighted which can be of immense importance
- Different tsunami-prone or warning regions have been highlighted; the Pacific, Indian Ocean, Mediterranean, North-Eastern Atlantic, and Connected Sea regions
- This day also honours the tsunami victims and serves as a reminder for us to learn from the historical events to improve our disaster preparedness measures
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FAQs
A1. World Tsunami Awareness Day is annually observed on 5th November across the globe.
A2. A tsunami refers to a set of large waves caused by the displacement of a large volume of water in an ocean, sea or lake.
A4. The World Tsunami Awareness Day 2024 theme is, “Empowering the next generation with the lessons of the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami”.
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