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The devastation wrought by the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami spurred the world into action, with the ASEAN Member States playing a significant role in the response. In the immediate aftermath, the ASEAN Leaders issued the Declaration on Action to Strengthen Emergency Relief, Rehabilitation, Reconstruction and Prevention on the Aftermath of Earthquake and Tsunami Disaster. The … ASEAN’s Strengthened Disaster Preparedness and Response Framework

The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami was one of the deadliest natural disasters in recorded history. As we mark the commemoration of its 20th anniversary this year, it is essential to reflect on the progress made in Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and the lessons learned—particularly DRR efforts with and for the most at-risk populations, … No One Left Behind: Advancing Disability-Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction

The Indian Ocean Tsunami flattened the coastal communities of Aceh, North Sumatra, killing more than 170,000 people. At least 116,000 are listed as missing. In this section, five survivors share their experiences from the harrowing day of 26 December 2004, how they dealt with the trauma of losing family members, neighbours, and friends, and how … From Aceh: Stories of Survival and Resilience

Shortly before 8 a.m. of 26 December 2004, a 9.1 magnitude earthquake, one of the most powerful in recorded history, shook the ground in Aceh, North Sumatra, Indonesia. Residents rushed out of homes and buildings; some fled for safety and to higher grounds. People on the coast saw the waters recede, but most of them … Aceh, Indonesia: The Day the Earth Shook, A Story of Tragedy and Resilience

On December 26, 2004, a massive tsunami struck fourteen nations across the Indian Ocean, leaving a trail of devastation and forever altering the lives of millions. Triggered by a 9.1 magnitude earthquake, this disaster claimed more than a quarter of a million lives. Countries like Indonesia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, and India bore the brunt, with … Tsunami Wake-up Call: Building a Path to Sustainable Resilience

The 26 December 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami was one of the deadliest natural disasters in modern history, impacting several countries in South and Southeast Asia, including Malaysia. For Malaysia, a country seemingly blessed and spared from having to experience severe natural disasters, the likelihood of a tsunami hitting our shores is considered to be as … A Disaster Unforeseen: Reflections on Malaysia’s Tsunami Response

In the first week of September 2024, the ASEAN region was hit by 20 significant disasters caused by natural hazards, including floods, storms, and landslides. These events caused massive devastation, affecting 2.83 million people and claiming 46 lives. Unfortunately, this week was not an outlier. Each week, thousands—sometimes millions—across Southeast Asia face the impacts of … Improving Disaster Risk Communication to Save Lives

On 26 December 2004, the Earthquake Observation Division under the Thailand Meteorological Department detected and issued an announcement to inform the public that an earthquake occurred in the sea off the west coast of Sumatra.

Fifty-five-year-old Agus Nur Amal PM Toh is an Acehnese traditional storytelling artist. His love for the arts began in his hometown of Sabang on Weh Island, Aceh, the westernmost island in Indonesia. It is in a theatre’s spectator seats where he discovered and became mesmerised by the magical worlds created by actors and crews of … Agus Nur Amal PM Toh: Healing through Storytelling