Work Together to Ensure Resilience, Save Lives, Secretary-General Urges in Message for World Tsunami Awareness Day

Following is UN Secretary-General António Guterres' message for World Tsunami Awareness Day, observed on 5 November:

Tsunamis are one of nature's deadliest disasters. But, with preparedness and cooperation, they don't have to be.

Governments must lead the way by investing in resilient coastal infrastructure, risk-informed land use and multi-hazard early warning systems. They must also collaborate across borders on science, data and forecasting.

But, every person, every family and every neighbourhood in tsunami-prone areas also has a vital role to play.

The theme of this year's World Tsunami Awareness Day is "Be tsunami ready: Resilience starts with you". This means knowing the warning signs, preparing household emergency plans, taking part in drills and helping people who may require additional support, including people in informal settlements, children, older persons, and persons with disabilities.

On this World Tsunami Awareness Day, let's take charge of resilience. By working together, we can be tsunami ready - and save lives whenever the waves strike.