Tsunamis are rare but extremely deadly and catastrophic. Tsunamis know no borders so international cooperation is a key for deeper political and public understanding of risk reduction measures. As a result, in December 2015, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) designated 5 November as World Tsunami Awareness Day.
The observance of the day would help to spread awareness among people across the world in matters related to the dangers of tsunami and shall stress the importance of early-warning systems in order to mitigate damage from the often devastating natural hazard.
In 2021, World Tsunami Awareness Day will promote one of the targets of the "Sendai Seven Campaign", aiming to “Substantially enhance international cooperation to developing countries through adequate and sustainable support to complement their national actions for implementation of the present Framework by 2030.”
On this occasion, the ChEESE Project organised an exercise to replay the destructive event which occurred almost one year ago from today: the 2020 Mw 7 Samos earthquake, and a moderate tsunami that hit the close-by island of Samos to the South and the coast of Turkey to the North.
Participants of the event included the North-eastern Atlantic, the Mediterranean and connected seas Tsunami Warning System (NEAMTWS) that issued alert messages for this tsunami in 2020; the ARISTOTLE Tsunami Hazard Group; National and European Civil Protection representatives; and EPOS representatives.
More information about the World Tsunami Awareness Day here.
