At the start of 2026, two Pacific Island communities achieved an important milestone in disaster preparedness. Majuro Atoll in the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Republic of Palau were formally recognized as Tsunami Ready under the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO’s Tsunami Ready Recognition Programme in the framework of the Ocean Decade Tsunami Programme.
Although approved in late 2024, official ceremonies were held this January to present their long‑awaited Certificates of Recognition. For local authorities, emergency managers, and community members, the moment marked the culmination of years of determination to build safer, more resilient coastal communities.
Communities on the frontlines of tsunami risk
The Small Island Developing States are located in the Pacific Ocean’s highly active “Ring of Fire” where the majority of the world’s tsunamis originate. Their geographic exposure, combined with low-lying coastal settlements and strong reliance on the ocean, makes effective tsunami preparedness essential for protecting lives, livelihoods, and critical infrastructure.
For residents, the Tsunami Ready recognition is far more than a certificate: it represents the reassurance that their efforts to strengthen early warning and response systems can help safeguard families, schools, and vital infrastructure for years to come.
Achieving Tsunami Ready: A people‑centered commitment
To be recognized as Tsunami Ready, communities must meet 12 indicators, covering hazard assessment, warning dissemination, evacuation planning, public education, and regular drills. These criteria ensure that once a tsunami threat is detected, warnings can translate quickly into coordinated, life‑saving action.
In both Majuro and Palau, progress was driven by strong collaboration among national disaster offices, weather services, local governments, educators, and community volunteers. Their work reflects a shared belief: preparedness only succeeds when communities are informed, engaged, and empowered.
Support from the International Tsunami Information Center
A key driver of this achievement was the International Tsunami Information Center (ITIC), operating under IOC and supported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). ITIC provided technical guidance, capacity development, and regional coordination, helping translate tsunami science into local preparedness systems tailored to island realities.
In January 2026, ITIC supported recognition ceremonies and preparedness strengthening activities in both Majuro and Palau, celebrating the leadership of local and national authorities, emergency managers, educators, and communities. These achievements highlight how strong partnerships and community engagement can turn knowledge into readiness and save lives. The recognition of Majuro and Palau as Tsunami Ready communities sends a strong message of leadership across the Pacific. It demonstrates how island communities, working in partnership with IOC, ITIC and NOAA, can build practical, people-centered preparedness systems that turn warnings into timely action.
A Model for the Pacific and Beyond
The recognition of Majuro and Palau sends a strong message across the region: community‑driven preparedness saves lives. These achievements highlight how partnerships, between global institutions, national agencies, and local communities, can turn knowledge into action and build resilience even in the most exposed environments.
As the Tsunami Ready programme continues to expand globally, Majuro and Palau now stand as powerful examples for other coastal communities striving to enhance safety and protect their people.
