International Partners Weigh Long-term Challenges as Tsunami Warning System Meets Initial Targets

Friday, December 07, 2007

A functioning, interconnected tsunami warning system is now operating in the Indian Ocean – although some critical work still remains, according to officials who met this week at a workshop sponsored by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

Representatives from the United Nations, Indian Ocean governments, and other partners joined U.S. Government experts at the United Nations Conference Center here on Thursday and Friday to discuss progress and continued priorities in fully establishing regional warning system capabilities following the 2004 tsunami.

"The success of the regional tsunami warning system really depends on the strength of each national system," said James F. Entwistle, Deputy Chief of Mission for the U.S. Embassy in Thailand.

Over the course of three years, hundreds of national government agencies, international organizations, and civil society organizations have taken part in developing warning system capabilities and strengthening disaster management, working in collaboration with a host of international partners, including U.S. Government agencies with tsunami warning system expertise.

The recent 8.4 magnitude earthquake on September 12 provided an opportunity to judge how efficient the system has become. Delegates from Thailand, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, India and other countries reported that warning centers are now getting the information they need, critical decision-making and communications protocols are in place, and more people know what do when there is a warning.

"As a result of these efforts, people feel much safer and are much safer than three years ago," Mr. Entwistle said.

The workshop, however, did identify several sustainability challenges that face warning system efforts in the region. Looming obstacles include insufficient funding to address ongoing needs over the next phase of system deployments and training programs, and the political will to fight complacency. Institutionalization of disaster management systems and ongoing training from national to local levels will be critical.

Since the 2004 tsunami, the U.S. has worked with partners to build an end-to-end tsunami warning system in the Indian Ocean region under the leadership of the United Nations Environment, Science, and Cultural Organization’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (UNESCO/IOC).

Under the USAID-funded US IOTWS Program, which will formally end in March 2008, U.S. government agencies have provided technology transfer, technical assistance, and training to national and local stakeholders in the region.

The U.S. government plans continued engagement in tsunami warning support activities in the region beyond March, including the continued provision of tsunami bulletins from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center during tsunami events and well as more focused partnership arrangements with national governments and disaster management partners in the region.

For more information, log on to www.us-iotws.gov.

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