Ten Years After Tsunami 2004 Most of us can clearly recall where we were on December 26, 2004, when a massive earthquake off the northern coast of Sumatra, Indonesia triggered a deadly tsunami that swept across the Indian Ocean, killing more than 226,000 people and causing massive destruction along coastal areas of 14 countries. The tsunami caused one of the worst natural disasters in recent memory, as its full horror unfolded on TV screens around the world. Ten years on, it is important to reflect on what the tsunami has taught us and whether these communities are any safer from such disasters. One clear lesson reinforced by the tsunami has been the importance of investing in disaster risk reduction (DRR) at both global and local levels. In January 2005, The Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) -- a global blueprint for disaster risk reduction efforts with a ten-year plan -- was adopted by 168 governments. Its goal was to substantially reduce disaster losses by 2015 by building the resilience of nations and communities to disasters. In June 2006, the Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System became active, consisting of 25 seismographic stations -- used to detect earthquakes early -- relaying information to 26 national tsunami information centers. This has resulted in timely evacuations of mass populations when alerts are sounded. Removing red tape The tsunami also highlighted how weak legislation led to blockages and major coordination challenges in the delivery of international assistance. The Hyogo Framework for Action calls for improved legislation to facilitate international disaster response, an area where the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has been working closely with governments through its Disaster Laws program. Twelve countries in Asia Pacific have made, or are progressing towards, legislative or regulatory changes. These include Indonesia, where the National Disaster Management Authority has revised its regulations relating to the participation of the international community in national emergencies. Another example is the Philippines, where, following Typhoon Haiyan in 2013, the government relaxed immigration requirements and established one-stop-shops to streamline the clearance process for incoming goods and equipment. CIO - Tech News, Analysis
Posted on: Fri, 26 Dec 2014 22:56:58 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015