Increasing vulnerability to natural disasters in the coastal zone poses a major threat to sustainable development, and affects lives and livelihoods. Awareness of natural hazards, preparing for minimizing the risks and involving all relevant national entities are part of any fast warning systems.

The two regional tsunami early warning and mitigation systems that cover parts of Africa and the adjacent island states are: (i) Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System (IOTWS) and (ii) the North Eastern Atlantic, Mediterranean and connected sea Tsunami Warning System (NEAMTWS). Through these systems IOC has carried out a number of training activities pertaining to tsunami preparedness, risk assessment, standard operating procedures, inundation modelling. Tsunami information centres for these regions are under development and help prepare tsunami information material for communities and schools adapted to local needs and languages. The African network of sea level stations established through the Global Sea Level System (GLOSS) and the Ocean Data and Information Network for Africa (ODINAFRICA) will also be strengthened.