Learning from the Survivors and Teaching the Community (Invited)

Interviewing tsunami survivors is an effective way to collect data that have both educational and scientific value. Critical eye witness insight can be gained into the human perception of tsunami events, as well as the reaction and response of victims. Furthermore, the survivors’ assessment of rescue and recovery efforts following the event, and of current warning, mitigation and education measures can be an important tool in evaluating the potential effectiveness of such efforts. Video interviews of tsunami survivors telling their stories can in themselves be a powerful education product for use in the local community and beyond. Mistakes made, lessons learned, and current challenges facing communities in Indonesia, Thailand, India, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives, as well as in Alaska and Hawaii, will be presented.