Tsunami Disaster Brings Generosity

On the need for an early warning system

A warning and education about the potential for tsunami after a strong earthquake would have resulted in far, far fewer deaths and injuries most certainly. People would not have been surprised and curious about what was happening. Even if they knew there had just been a strong earthquake they would have not been caught totally off-guard. And the locals should have been more aware of how deadly these waves can be and this would have made them move out of harms way. With no warning they were sitting ducks.
It is so sad to see so much destruction that could have been avoided had people had a clue.
Even if people knew there was an earthquake they could decide for themselves that there would be a chance for a tsunami if ever so slight. I know I would not be lying on the beach tanning had I known.
I am lucky to be living in a place where we have been close to a tsunami in 1964 and now have a warning system in place. However, I would never expect this to be fail-proof either but it is better than being oblivious. I am sure the tourists there just assume that there would be an emergency warning system in place like back in their own countries. -- Barbara Thomae

Yes, (an early warning system) would make a difference in saving thousands of lives that are gone. It's hard to say whom to blame for the thousands of lost lives, but those countries' governments are some (way) responsible for not at least warning people to get away from coasts. Another thing is the lack of education. I believe this could have saved lives. Unfortunately our countries are not rich or wealthy (enough) to afford a warning system but they're always ready for corruption. -- Susann

I think that an early warning would've made a big difference in the death toll. If after the earthquake there had been between 20 and 2 hours for the tsunami to build, and there had been an efficient warning system, it would have been possible to save many lives by evacuating at least the people who lived closest to the sea shores. Natural disasters cannot be avoided, so this should be a reason to be alert and take into account it can happen anywhere, anytime. -- Tatiana, Costa Rica

While early warnings may have caused some fear and panic, the rapid exodus of people might have saved a few thousand lives. Given the level of global observation technology in a variety of fields it is shameful that so little effort is given to saving human lives. Early warning systems exist elsewhere in the world. These should be expanded and enhanced. -- Ron Luft

Yes, an early warning system could have helped to save a lot of life in many countries. Together with such a system, awareness on where to move to be safe is required. -- Aminath Shafia

Even 20 minutes warning could have saved thousands of lives, areas were warnings could have been hours in advance could have an even greater difference.
However, we must consider that this was an unthinkable disaster. Nothing on this scale has happened before and particularly not in this area, so how many warning systems for how many types of disasters should be installed and at what cost?
Finally, some of the areas are so technologically and educationally behind, once the scientists know what was likely to happen, how do you get that word to the common person on the street? We can second guess everything after the fact, 20/20 hindsight. Yes, warnings could have saved thousands, but if this had not happened would anyone think of warnings for tsunamis there? It was a tragedy and nobody should feel that they should have prevented it. -- Pamela Teitel-Werdath

Do you think an early warning would have made a difference? 1,000 percent YES. World governments say the cost of setting up a global tsunami warning system costs too much. The war in Iraq 'cost' too much financially and in innocent lives lost. With over 100,000 tsunami fatalities, there's no excuse for not having a global warning system. How can we put a 'cost' value on the 100,000 plus people who died with no warning on what seemed like a beautiful day in paradise? We the people of the world all deserve the right to have a fair warning, even if it's only 20 minutes. If the governments can't get together and put a warning system in place then we the people must start our own fund to get the warning system in place because sadly, this tragedy will happen again. -- A.L., New York City

I don't know much about tsunamis, but I think that it happened because they don't have the instruments and the contingency plans in case of an earthquake or something like that. (The) problem is about the accessibility of poor countries to this technology. Finally, the problems and this disaster happened everywhere and to everybody, no matter where you come from. -- Carlos Alfonso Cortes Bautista, Bogota, Colombia