Tsunami

 Room D, 13:00 - 15:00

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Tsunami Early Warning Strengthening Project in the Indian Ocean
Partnership for Building Resilience to Tsunamis

Recognizing the urgency to mobilize efforts and resources towards establishing an early warning system for the Indian Ocean region, a multi-partner, multi-donor initiative “Evaluation and Strengthening of Early Warning Systems in countries affected by the 26 December 2004 Tsunami” was launched in early 2005 with funding through the UN Flash Appeal for the Indian Ocean. The initiative has provided an overall integrated framework for strengthening early warning systems in the Indian Ocean, and has been focusing on key components that include core system implementation, integrated risk management, public awareness and education, community-based approaches, and coordination and partnership building.

• Significant progress towards key objectives has been achieved as follows:
  Establishment of the core technical elements of a regional tsunami early warning system is on track and to be completed by July 2006. 
• Coordination of joint efforts in the region linking the tsunami warning system to other hazard warning systems and to disaster management institutions.
• Significant progress towards awareness raising and capacity building in advocacy with effective engagement of the media and non-governmental organizations.
• Provision of an example of an integrating vehicle for supporting the implementation of the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015: Building the resilience of nations and communities to disasters.
• Engagement of a wide range of partners and donor contributions bringing an added-value to the diversity of activities, and a more coordinated and coherent approach to the problem, thus extending the reach and effectiveness of inputs and resources.
• Development of a “Strategy for Building Resilience to Tsunamis in the Indian Ocean for 2006-2008” to capitalize on achievements of the 2005 activities, including the continued development of collective inter-agency efforts and enhanced linkages and partnerships.

During the 3rd International Conference on Early Warning (EWC III), a side-event on tsunami early warning is organized to brief participants on progress towards strengthening tsunami early warning systems in the Indian Ocean, and offer an opportunity to exchange information and experience across partners with regard to implementation of activities and delivery of results at the regional, national, and local levels. Participants will also discuss the future prospects for cooperation and partnership towards building resilience to tsunamis in the Indian Ocean region.

The tsunami workshop will take place on Tuesday, 28th March, 2006 from 14:00 to 15:00 in the EWC III conference venue, Room G/F. The following agenda is proposed:

14:00 Tsunami early warning project "Past - Present - Future", Reid Basher, UN/ISDR – Platform for the Promotion of Early Warning

14:05  Tsunami hot spots and risk assessment, Professor Fumihiko Imamura, Tohoku University, Japan

14:10 Regional tsunami warning systems and intergovernmental process, Ulrich Wolf, UNESCO-IOC

14:15  National and local tsunami early warning systems, Juan Carlos Villagrán, UNU-IEHS with Sri Lanka Deputy Director of the Meteorological Department & Director of Geological Survey Department

14:25 Open forum for comments and discussion