The 1990s: A Critical Decade in Tsunami Research and Mitigation

The Member States of the United Nations unanimously proclaimed the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction (IDNDR) by UN resolution 46/182 on 22 December 1989. The same resolution adopted an IDNDR International Framework of Action for 1990–99 with the objective of stimulating concerted international action, especially in developing countries, to reduce the loss of life, property damage, and social economic disruption caused by natural disasters. The Decade was established on the basic understanding that sufficient scientific and technical knowledge already exists which, with more extensive application, could save thousands of lives and prevent millions of dollars in property losses from natural and similar disasters.