Gwadar, Pakistan – The usual morning buzz at Government Girls High School Gwadar and Government Boys High School Gwadar Jadeed took on a new urgency as a loud siren pierced the air. On World Tsunami Awareness Day, over 300 students took part in a life-saving exercise a tsunami evacuation drill organized by UNESCO and the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Balochistan.
The drill aimed to prepare students for the rapid response needed during a tsunami. Eight-year-old Ayesha, clutching her backpack tightly, shared her newfound confidence: “I learned how to run to higher ground and help my friends. Now, I know what to do if there’s a tsunami.”
Pakistan’s coastline, especially along the Makran Subduction Zone in the Arabian Sea, is highly vulnerable to tsunamis. The 1945 Makran tsunami was a catastrophic event, second only to the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. Initiatives like these drills are vital to protecting lives in such high-risk coastal areas.
This exercise was part of the UNESCO-IOC’s UNESCAP-funded project, Enhancing Tsunami Early Warning Capabilities in the North-West Indian Ocean Region through Regional Cooperation – Phase 2C. It also supported Pakistan’s efforts to achieve the UNESCO-IOC Tsunami Ready Recognition Programme (TRRP), which helps coastal communities prepare for and reduce tsunami risks.
A representative from PDMA Balochistan emphasized the importance of educating the youth. “These children are the future, and by empowering them with knowledge and training, we’re creating safer communities,” he said.
The drills were more than just practice—they were a commitment to ensuring the safety and resilience of Gwadar’s communities. As the children raced toward safety, their steps symbolized hope and readiness for whatever the future may bring.