On 26 December 2004, an earthquake in the Indian Ocean caused a devastating tsunami that killed around 230,000 people in 14 countries. It remains one of the deadliest disasters in recent human history.
The people who lived through this tragedy are forever changed by it. That is why this year, World Tsunami Awareness Day (WTAD) is honouring the memory of the Indian Ocean Tsunami on its 20th anniversary and highlighting major advances on protecting people since.
This exhibition tells the powerful accounts of tsunami survivors alongside contemporary artworks that capture the sea change of perspective that the aftermath brought, with unprecedented global collaboration on disaster resilience. Everyone must be tsunami ready - recognise the warning signs, be protected by early warning systems and be able to act quickly and get to high ground. We must have resilient infrastructure so livelihoods are not destroyed and build back better when tsunamis hit.
Tsunamis are rare but the deadliest of all natural hazards. Ensuring every person is ready in case one strikes is the central objective of this exhibition co-organised by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO. World Tsunami Awareness Day is kindly supported by the government of Japan.
The exhibition is launched in 4 locations:
Manila, Philippines (Mall of Asia, Music Hall) 14 Oct for 1 week,
Paris, France (UNESCO HQ fences) 16 October for 6 months,
Geneva, Switzerland (Palais des Nations, Bar Serpent) 4 November for 2 weeks,
New York, USA (UN HQ) 4 November for 2 weeks
Access the Programme and link to register for the Exhibition in Geneva here.
