World Tsunami Awareness Day 2022, Theme, History & Significance

World Tsunami Awareness Day 2022: Every year on November 5, World Tsunami Awareness Day is observed. Because of its repeated, devastating tsunamis, Japan is credited with initiating this observance. It has developed significant expertise in areas such as tsunami early warning, public action, and rebuilding better after a disaster to reduce future impacts.

Important Days in November 2022 

World Tsunami Awareness Day 2022: History 

The United Nations declared November 5 as World Tsunami Awareness Day through resolution 70/23 on December 22, 2015. Tsunamis are one of the most devastating and dangerous natural disasters, despite their rarity.  In the last 100 years, 58 tsunamis have killed over 260,000 people, more than any other natural disaster. The highest number of deaths occurred in December 2004, when the Indian Ocean tsunami struck. It killed 227,000 people in 14 countries, including Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, and Thailand. Only three weeks after the tsunami, the international community gathered in Kobe, Japan, to adopt the 10-year Hyogo Framework for Action. This was the first comprehensive global disaster risk reduction agreement.

World Tsunami Awareness Day 2022: Theme

The Asia-Pacific theme for World Tsunami Awareness Day 2022 is: Early Warning and Early Action Before Every Tsunami. World Tsunami Awareness Day helps in increasing our knowledge and understanding of tsunamis and how to respond if caught in one. Several national and international conferences, debates, seminars, quizzes, and other events are being held to raise public awareness of the tsunami risk.

World Tsunami Awareness Day 2022: Significance

World Tsunami Awareness Day is observed to raise public awareness about the dangers of tsunamis and the precautions that should be taken when one approaches. Because natural disasters do not respect borders, the United Nations proposed November 5th as World Tsunami Awareness Day and urged global cooperation in increasing prevention efforts and public awareness. Their devastating impact can claim many lives. This day promotes tsunami awareness and education to ensure that communities act decisively and calmly when tsunami warnings are issued.