E-Paper
Global meet in Japan on tsunami alert system
Installing a tsunami warning system in Asia will be the focus of discussion at the World Conference on Disaster Reduction from Jan 18-22.
Installing a tsunami early warning system in Asia, where they caused so much havoc last month, will be the major focus of discussion at the World Conference on Disaster Reduction to be held at Kobe in Japan January 18-22.
"Early warning was always going to be a main subject to be discussed at the World Conference on Disaster Reduction. Now, this subject is all the more relevant following the devastation that occurred on December 26 in South Asia," said Salvano Briceño, director of the secretariat for the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR).
Two extra sessions on early tsunami warning have been scheduled at the meeting.
"It is clear the tsunami could not have been prevented, but its impact could have been reduced if countries in the region and coastal communities were better equipped with an efficient early warning system on tsunamis," said Briceño, based at the UN agency's headquarters in Geneva.
The effectiveness of the system, which could cost about $20 million, would depend on the efficiency of communication among the region's countries.
"The warnings have to move quickly through multiple communications channels to reach those at risk and there have to be clear plans for what to do in an emergency.
"This means a lot of public education and preparedness activities. A good system needs to ensure that international, regional and local communities are connected to assure effective communication and quick evacuation of coastal populations," he said.
Briceño noted: "We are not starting from scratch. Risk maps are already available and many countries in the Indian Ocean have early warning systems for other types of natural hazards such as floods and cyclones.
"Existing international warning organisations already detect earthquakes and connect relevant authorities with each other."
A special session will be held at Kobe on January 20, where high-ranking government officials from affected countries and Japan will be present with Jan Egeland, UN under-secretary general for humanitarian affairs, who will co-chair the event.
