Across the Asia-Pacific region, life unfolds by the sea. Fishing boats dot the horizon, children play on the beach, and entire communities rise and rest to the rhythm of the tides. The sea is their source of life, culture and beauty.
But beneath those same waters lies one of nature’s most powerful forces. Tsunamis are a series of giant waves that can race across the ocean at the speed of a jet plane. They often strike without warning, triggered by earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides or even meteorite impacts. One moment the sea recedes; the very next moment it roars back, transforming into an impenetrable wall of water that destroys everything in its path.
With thousands of islands, long coastlines, dense coastal cities and remote communities all squeezed near water’s edge, the region bears the brunt of disasters more than any other. Between 1970 and 2022, disasters in the region claimed over 2 million lives and caused nearly US$2.7 trillion in economic losses, with tsunamis among the deadliest and most economically destructive hazards.
Yet even the most powerful waves can be met with preparation.
Every investment in early warning systems, education and community drills turns vulnerability into strength. Every second matters, and those precious seconds are earned long before the alarm sounds.
Preparedness begins with knowing what to protect and how—which streets might flood, which schools and hospitals need reinforcement, where are the most vulnerable people living, and which parts of a city or village would be at greatest risk when the waves arrive.
This is where digital tools help: like the STEP-A (Strengthening Tsunami and Earthquake Preparedness Assessment) platform in Indonesia, which has become a vital tool to assess school infrastructure, evacuation routes and community readiness.
But technology alone doesn’t save lives. Its real power comes alive when students and teachers turn assessment into action—sprinting down evacuation routes, testing safe zones and practicing every step until it becomes an instinct.
In Samoa, children put on virtual reality headsets and suddenly the familiar streets and schools transform before their eyes. They see how the coastline would look if a tsunami struck, which buildings would be submerged and which paths lead to safety.
Walking through these virtual scenarios, they practice evacuating, spotting safe zones and making quick decisions, all in a safe, controlled environment. By visualizing the disaster and rehearsing their responses again and again, they move from fear to confidence.
Supported by the Government of Japan and UNDP, 220,000 teachers, students and officials from 800 schools in 24 countries have participated in similar drills across the Asia-Pacific region since 2017.
“Tanjung Benoa has become stronger and solid in terms of resilience building, because all stakeholders are working together to build synergies and ensure no one left behind," says Luh Sri Sudharmini, headmaster of a primary school in Bali, Indonesia.
When technology guides action, it becomes the shield that protects communities.
A community is truly prepared only when its most vulnerable members are safe. Think of a town or a village where wheelchair ramps aren’t built, evacuation alerts come only via sirens—useless for those with hearing impairments—or evacuation drills assume that everyone can run, climb or walk unaided. That’s a gap that must be addressed urgently.
UNDP and partners work with communities to make preparedness inclusive – from school drills that account for disabilities to early warning messages that reach even the remotest islands. In Sri Lanka, Thailand and the Philippines, focused trainings and consultations that engage persons with disabilities ensure that they are not just participants but leaders in planning evacuation strategies and shaping national guidelines.
“We advocate for ourselves and actively contribute to these guidelines, ensuring that the government works with us on an equal basis,” says Arunee Limmanee, assistant professor and advisor on education and employment for the Association of the Physically Handicapped of Thailand.
When every voice is heard, every life is protected.
Stories are how communities learn, remember and connect. From folktales whispered around campfires to modern-day cartoons and comics, story-driven narratives have a unique power: they linger in memory, spark imagination and create shared understanding. They give meaning to events, help people make sense of challenges and pass wisdom from one generation to the next. Across cultures and traditions, stories shape values, teach lessons and bind communities together.
Recognizing the power of narratives, Tsunami Story Books have turned safety messages into engaging adventures for children. These publications guide young readers through how to get to safety, where to meet family and how to look out for each other—all through relatable characters and story-driven plots.
Distributed in schools and community centres, the storybooks encourage children to share what they learn at home, sparking conversations that reach siblings, parents and neighbours. In this way, the lessons extend beyond the classroom, helping communities internalize safety practices long before an alarm sounds.
Lessons remembered are lives saved.
Across the Asia-Pacific, people face the sea’s power every day. From the smallest villages to the largest cities, communities are learning that preparation is not a one-time effort—it’s a culture, a practice, a way of life. Digital tools, inclusive planning and storytelling are more than programmes; they are lifelines, turning knowledge into instinct and readiness into action.
By embedding preparedness into daily routines, investing in early warning systems and making sure no one is left behind, the region is proving that even the most formidable waves can be met with preparedness. Every drill, every story, every inclusive plan strengthens a shield that grows with each generation.
© 2026 United Nations Development Programme
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