Locations
Strengthening School Preparedness for Tsunami in Asia-Pacific
Regional Tsunami Project
| Status: | Ongoing |
| Duration: | June 2017 - October 2025 |
| Budget: | US$4.4 million |
| Donor: | Government of Japan |
| Coverage: | Bangladesh, Cambodia, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Kiribati, Malaysia, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu, Tonga, Vanuatu, and Viet Nam. |
| Focus Area: | Disaster Risk Reduction |
| Key Partners in Japan: | Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), Cabinet Office, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and International Research Institute of Disaster Science (IRIDeS) at Tohoku University |
| Partners in Project Countries: | National Disaster Management Organizations (NDMOs), Ministries of Education, local governments, community leaders, and NGOs across 24 countries |
| Regional and International Partners: | ASEAN, ESCAP, IFRC, UNDRR, UNESCO |
Background: Preparedness Save Lives
Tsunamis are one of the deadliest hazards in the Asia-Pacific region, posing significant threats to people’s lives and livelihoods. Between 1970 and 2022, disasters in Asia and the Pacific caused over 2 million deaths and USD 2.7 trillion in economic damages, of which tsunamis rank as the third deadliest and fourth most economically devastating hazard. Vulnerable populations, especially children, are often disproportionately affected due to physical, social, and informational barriers that limit their ability to respond effectively.
The 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami and the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami are powerful reminders of the profound human and economic toll. Yet, preparedness can save lives. In Japan, tsunami readiness is more than policies, it’s a way of life. From regular drills, preserving historical knowledge of past tsunamis, to integrating disaster education into school curricula, a culture of preparedness was created. During the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake, these practices proved vital. Communities that conducted frequent drills demonstrated faster and more collaborative evacuations.
“Everyone could have died if no training had been conducted regularly; it was not a miracle, the drills paid off.” – a resident noted
Summary
Since 2017, the UNDP and the Government of Japan have worked together under the regional Tsunami Project to strengthen school and community preparedness in 24 countries across the Asia-Pacific. The project follows Japan’s approach, whereby tsunami preparedness is embedded in the culture and children learn how to evacuate safely. The project helps schools, communities, and governments conduct regular drills, improve evacuation planning, and implement tsunami preparedness programmes.
Key Achievements
In total around 800 schools in 24 Asia-Pacific countries have participated in tsunami drills, engaging over 220,000 students, teachers, local officials, and community members.
Indonesia
- At the request of the Ministry of Education, UNDP is supporting the development of the 2025-2029 Safe School Roadmap, which will allign efforts across ministries and local governments to scale up comprehensive school safety.
- The project developed STEP-A, a mobile application enabling schools to assess their tsunami preparedness, now part of Indonesia’s national geospatial platform (InaRISK).
- The project hosted a Tsunami Amazing Race where it engaged over 300 students, teachers, and community members ensuring they know what to do and how to act in the event of a tsunami.
Palau
- Over 70% schools revised and strengthened their School Emergency Management Plans during the National Workshop for Schools co-organized with the Ministry of Education and the National Emergency Management Office, contributing to safer learning environments.
Thailand
- In collaboration with the Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC), the project trained over 240 high-risk tsunami schools across five provinces that were affected by the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami.
- National Guidelines for Tsunami Evacuation Plans and Drills for Schools in Thailand were developed and serve as a key resource for schools in tsunami-prone areas to conduct evacuation drills, including students with disalibilities, ensuring no one is left behind.
- To complement the National Guidelines, the project developed Training of Trainers Manual, which was endorsed by OBEC. The Manual enables teachers to continue supporting other educators.
- The project conducted the Media Fellowship Programme to help 20 Thai journalists strengthen their media capacities on earthquake and tsunami preparedness, with representation from the Mainichi Newspaper. Based on the programme, the project is developing Thai media guidelines to support journalists during disasters.
News
Publications
The Water is Rising
A UNDP Report to Commemorate the 20th Anniversary of the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami
To commemorate the 20th anniversary of the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, this report brings together survivors’ testimonies and two decades of experience in disaster risk reduction, recovery, and building resilience across the Asia-Pacific region. These experiences are distilled into four key lessons to inform Asia-Pacific countries’ future recovery and resilience efforts.
Project Countries
Contact Information
Sooin Bang;
Project Manager, Regional Tsunami Project (Phase 4), UNDP Bangkok Regional Hub