Sharing Insights to Support Tsunami Early Warning Efforts in the Indian Ocean
Left: PDC Chief Scientist Stanley Goosby (pictured during a recent Voice of America interview), shared crucial insights from the Pacific Islands during a United Nations-sponsored workshop on tsunami early warning in the Indian Ocean Basin (Image: Voice of America/Steve Herman). Right: Modeling product from PDC’s Risk and Vulnerability Assessment for Vanuatu in 2003—Goosby stressed how visualizing tsunami risk is critical in both the Pacific Islands and in the Indian Ocean region (Image: PDC).

As the international community converges to create a tsunami early warning system for the Indian Ocean Basin, expertise from around the globe is being tapped to share a wide spectrum of best practices. In the aftermath of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami catastrophe, cross-pollinating these important perspectives is vital to mitigating against the impacts of future disasters.

At the recent Regional Workshop on Mitigation, Preparedness, and Development for Tsunami Early Warning Systems, conducted during June 14-16 in Bangkok, Thailand, the United Nations’ Assistant Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs, Margareta Wahlstrom, urged 130 experts from 20 nations to “not rest until every coastal community in the Indian Ocean region” had access to tsunami warnings.

In support of this vision, the Pacific Disaster Center’s Chief Scientist, Stanley Goosby, briefed the United Nations-sponsored workshop on the Center’s eight years of disaster risk reduction work in the Pacific Islands—including support of tsunami early warning efforts.

“What has been learned in the Pacific Islands has profound implications for the countries that were impacted by the Indian Ocean tsunami,” says Goosby. “There are important parallels in terms of needing to undertake ‘Concept of Operation’ studies, conduct risk and vulnerability assessments, augment Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) for disaster management, and foster tsunami awareness at local and national levels.”

Goosby’s findings are also documented in a white paper, titled, Strengthening Decision Making for Tsunami Early Warning in the Pacific Islands. Of particular interest to workshop participants were the results of an Information and Communication Technology Assessment the Center completed for the Kingdom of Tonga in 2005.

“The approach we used to assess Tonga’s capabilities to receive warning messages and provide alternative ICT solutions generated special interest,” says Goosby. “These are lessons learned that can ultimately help to protect life and property in Indian Ocean nations.”

Goosby’s insights on tsunami early warning issues are also featured in a recent Voice of America news story that discusses the development of a tsunami early warning in the Indian Ocean.

The Center’s engagement in the Indian Ocean Basin also includes a current project to provide technical assistance to support the development of the National Disaster Warning Center, Thailand. Click for ongoing project updates.