Lessons learned from local and indigenous knowledge shared at an international webinar organised by UNESCO Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission

At a recent major international webinar, Dr Harkunti Rahayu, from the Institute Technology Bandung, gave a presentation about what we learned from local and indigenous knowledge from previous events. The presentation covered lessons from the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami and the 2018 Sunda Straits Tsunami, distinguishing between seismic and non-seismic tsunami events. Dr Rahayu concluded with some of the key issues, challenges and potential solutions.

The webinar, held on the 6th and 7th April 2022, aimed to gain a better understanding of the current knowledge of tsunamis generated by non-seismic and complex sources, from recent and past events, learn what is required to better warn and respond to tsunamis generated by non-seismic and complex sources. 

Dr Rahayu also joined a panel discussion, geographically and theme split, with questions also taken from online participants. 

The event contributed to the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development 2021-2030, a ‘once in a lifetime’ opportunity to create a new foundation across the science-policy interface to strengthen the management of our oceans and coasts for the benefit of humanity. One of the seven outcomes of the Decade is a Safe Ocean where life and livelihoods are protected from Ocean Hazards, such as tsunamis. One of the 10 challenges is to increase community resilience to ocean hazards as a contribution to the Safe Ocean societal benefit.

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