UNDRR, UNDP: Lessons for a more resilient future

Today, we honour the memory of the 230,000 lives lost to the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami and reflect on the countless lives forever changed. This tragic event, which devastated Thailand and more than a dozen other countries across the region, stands as a stark reminder of our shared responsibility to reduce disaster risks.

If a tsunami of the same magnitude struck today, would the devastation be as catastrophic as it was 20 years ago? Likely not. Over the past two decades, global cooperation, led by countries like Thailand, has driven significant progress in disaster risk reduction. One of the most critical achievements is the establishment of the Indian Ocean Tsunami Early Warning System, now covering 27 countries.

To build on this progress, it is essential to continue strengthening early warning systems in line with the United Nations' call for "Early Warnings for All". Such efforts ensure that communities worldwide are better prepared to act swiftly and effectively when disasters strike. Reflecting on the lessons of the 2004 tsunami, we should focus our efforts on the following critical areas:

1. Recognise that disasters take many forms: A multi-hazard approach recognises that disasters are diverse. They can be geological, technological, biological, and those exacerbated by the climate crisis, such as extreme heat. The United Nations' Secretary-General has called for urgent action to address extreme heat, which disproportionately impacts vulnerable populations. Integrating diverse hazards, including extreme heat, into early warning systems, ensures a comprehensive approach to disaster preparedness.

2. Shift from reactive to proactive investments in disaster resilience: The 2004 tsunami underscored the need to shift from reactive to proactive investments in resilience. Early warning systems not only save lives but also offer substantial economic beneits -- up to a 20-fold return on investment through avoided losses. Integrating dedicated funding for disaster risk reduction into national budgets is essential to implementing e$ective measures and strategies.

3. Empower local actors to reduce risks: Equipping frontline communities and local authorities with resources and leadership roles ensures that solutions are tailored to the unique risks they face. The "Making Cities Resilient 2030" initiative, led by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction's (UNDRR), supports local governments and communities in integrating disaster risk reduction into planning and policies, thereby strengthening resilience at the community level. The "Tsunami Project", led by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Government of Japan, focuses on fostering a culture of tsunami preparedness, particularly in schools and communities, to help ensure that the devastating losses from the Indian Ocean Tsunami are never repeated. This partnership has supported over 700 schools in 24 Asia-Pacific countries to conduct tsunami drills and education programmes, engaging over 218,000 students, teachers, local officials, and community members. Such strategies that prioritise "Building Back Better" and recovery readiness before disasters strike lay the foundation for stronger, more resilient societies capable of withstanding future shocks and recover faster.

4. Leave no one behind: Disasters disproportionately impact women, children, older persons, and persons with disabilities. Engaging them in designing and implementing early warning systems and risk reduction measures leverages their knowledge, ensures better protection and empowers them. Thailand is one of the countries where the "Tsunami Project" has shown considerable success. By fostering education, inclusivity, and community engagement, UNDP, in collaboration with the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM), the Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC), and the Thai Red Cross Society, developed the "National Guidelines for Tsunami Evacuation Plans and Drills for Schools in Thailand". These guidelines are now adopted by schools across Thailand to ensure students and teachers are equipped with preparedness plans and evacuation drills. In Thailand, the partnership also supported students with disabilities. For example, through the process of conducting drills, evacuation routes in schools were upgraded to become more wheelchair-friendly.

The 2004 tsunami taught us critical lessons about recognising natural warning signs and the importance of seeking safety on higher ground. Passing these lessons to today's youth -- many of whom were too young to remember or not yet born -- is indispensable for building a culture of preparedness. In 2025, with this need in mind, UNDP will broaden its efforts by helping countries to integrate tsunami preparedness into national policies and school curricula, in order to ensure that all schools and communities are empowered to reduce their risks and increase their safety in the event of a tsunami.

Thailand's progress in rebuilding after the 2004 tsunami exemplifies what is possible when governments, communities and businesses come together. Beyond reconstruction, Thailand has developed deep expertise in disaster risk reduction and has emerged as a strong advocate for international cooperation. This positions Thailand uniquely to share its knowledge and support other countries across the ASEAN region and beyond in building their resilience against future threats. International cooperation and goodwill are the only way to address today's challenges and transform them into opportunities for stronger, more thriving countries and societies.

Marco Toscano-Rivalta is the Regional Chief for Asia-Pacific of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR). Niamh Collier-Smith is the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative in Thailand.

This op-ed was originally published by the Bangkok Post.