The document discusses lessons learned from the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami over ten years, emphasizing the importance of remembering historical tsunamis and maintaining memorials for future generations. It highlights the necessity of early warning systems, the limitations of technology, and the importance of community preparedness through education and drills. Additionally, it acknowledges the value of indigenous knowledge as a complementary tool for disaster risk reduction.

1. The 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami
5 lessons learned in 10 years of studies and discussions
on
disaster risk reduction

2. #1
Do not forget
Extremely destructive tsunamis happen on century
scale intervals.
It was not the first of ist kind.
A memory must be kept for future generations.
In Banda Aceh there are memorials, now, that could
preserve this memory.
They must be mantained throughout the centuries.

3. This barge was brought 2 km inland by thewave. Today is kept as a memorial

4. Tsunami Museum in Banda Aceh

5. #2
Early warning systems are a must
Early warning systems must be in place.
Operational since 2013,
there is a system of geophones, buoys, satellites,
operated by centers in India, Indonesia, Australia.
They can dispatch warns within minutes.

6. Evacuation drills, Banda Aceh.

7. #3
Technology alone is not enough
Technology changes fast. Complex systems may fail.
Mantainance is expensive. Institutions slow reaction
to warnings may hamper emergency measures.
There is the need for various measures to be in place,
some of them not technology-, rather community-based
(lessons #4 and #5).

8. Young generations need to know, remember. Visitors at the Barge memorial.

9. #4
Practice, education, are the keys
Improve communities preparedness through exercise,
drills, education of communities and governmental
organizations living in disaster prone regions.
Preparedness to natural hazards needs to be
monitored and evaluated - for centuries to come.

10. Drills, exercise. Be ready. Banda Aceh.

11. #5
Indigenous knowledge is a
warning system tool too
Indigenous knowledge has developed in thousands
years. There are some tools communities have
developed to cope with disasters. They have often
been saved and shared through oral histories.
If scientifically validated, they may become part of
warning systems. They may help where technology or
organization fail.

12. The big Mosquee in Banda Aceh.

13. Please read my account on indigenous
knowledge and science blending for
disaster risk reduction.
On Medium.com
Thanks to the scientists at TDRMC in Banda Aceh.
And the many people I have met that helped me reporting.
Thanks to PNY.com for supporting the project.

14. Reparing a basin.

15. A Mosquee dome was carried and left amid rice fields. Today it is a memorial.