International day in memory of the victims of earthquakes: Remembrance and resilience

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International day in memory of the victims of earthquakes: Remembrance and resilience

The release date： 20/04/2026Source：【The font:：small medium big】 Print Close this page

This year, I had the solemn privilege of visiting Türkiye and Japan to take part in memorials for earthquake victims. These are two different countries, struck by separate earthquakes, years apart. Yet, they are united by shared grief, common lessons and by a shared determination to Build Back Better from these disasters.

That is why the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction is honoured to take on the responsibility of promoting the new International Day in Memory of the Victims of Earthquakes, which was designated by the UN General Assembly last year to be observed on 29 April.

This day highlights two central themes: remembrance and resilience.

Remembrance for all those we have lost, and for all who continue to carry the physical, emotional, and economic scars of earthquake disasters.

And resilience building to ensure that earthquakes do not claim lives, destroy homes, disrupt economies, or bring down hard-won development gains.

We know this is possible. While earthquakes may be sudden and violent, there is much that countries can do to prevent them from causing devastating disasters.

First, we must ensure that all physical structures in seismic zones are built or retrofitted to be earthquakeresilient. This includes homes, schools, hospitals, and infrastructure.

UNDRR’s Principles for Resilient Infrastructure provide countries with guidance on how to embed resilience into all infrastructure systems and investments.

Second, we need to enhance public awareness of earthquake risk. People deserve to know their risks and what to do when the ground shakes. Starting this year, we call on national governments, cities, schools, and workplaces to join our campaign “Drop, Cover, and Hold on. 10 Seconds to Save a Life” by conducting micro-drills at least twice a year, including on 29 April.

Third, countries should record, analyse, and share data on disaster impacts. This entails collecting disaggregated data on affected people and a full accounting of economic and non-economic losses, including damage to cultural heritage sites.

This data can be captured through our DELTA Resilience database system, and progress can be reported through the Sendai Framework Monitor.

In the aftermath of a disaster, this data is essential for understanding what worked, what did not, and most importantly, which vulnerabilities to prioritize when building back better.

Earthquakes are inevitable, but the disasters they cause are not.

On the International Day in Memory of the Victims of Earthquakes, let us honour the victims by committing to building resilience for all. Thank you.