On 22nd December 2015, the United Nations General Assembly through resolution A/RES/ 70/203 designated 5th November as World Tsunami Awareness Day. The Assembly requested that the day be observed by all nations, international organizations, and civil society in order to spread tsunami awareness and discuss cutting-edge risk-reduction strategies. The word "tsunami" comprises the Japanese words "tsu" (meaning harbour) and "inami" (meaning wave). A tsunami is a series of enormous waves created by an underwater disturbance usually associated with earthquakes occurring below or near the ocean. World Tsunami Awareness Day was the brainchild of Japan, which due to it's repeated, bitter experience has over the years built up major expertise in areas such as tsunami early warning, public action and building back better after disaster to reduce future impacts. UNDRR facilitates the observance of World Tsunami Awareness Day in collaboration with the rest of the United Nations system. Tsunamis are rare events, but they are among the deadliest and costliest disasters. And the risk is only increasing due to the impacts of climate crisis. United Nations Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) is stressing that adequate warning systems, early action and education can save lives. The yearly celebration's date was selected in remembrance of the Japanese tale known as "Inamura-no-hi," or "burning of the rice sheaves." An earthquake in 1854 caused the tide to recede, warning a farmer of an impending tsunami. He set fire to his whole crop as a warning to the villagers, who then ran for higher ground. He then constructed an embankment and planted trees as a defense against ensuing waves.
The United Nations office on Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) encourages the community to be part of this global initiative. Use World Tsunami Awareness Day to have discussions with loved ones and friends about how to be prepared for a tsunami, as well as how to spot signs for safe assembly areas and tsunami evacuation routes in your neighborhood. This year, UNDRR is launching a new initiative #GetToHighGround,” which encourages and supports raising community awareness of tsunami danger by arranging a drill of their tsunami evacuation route, to get to high ground. Between 1998 - 2017, tsunamis caused more than 250,000 deaths globally. The observance of the day would help to spread awareness among people across the world in matters related to the dangers of tsunami and shall stress on the importance of early warning systems in order to mitigate damage from the often devastating natural hazard. The theme for this year's World Tsunami Awareness Day 2022 is: "Early warning and Early Action Before Every Tsunami".
#worldtsunamiawarenessday #unitednations #unitednationsorganization.
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