International Tsunami Survey Team Palu

ITST-Palu Announcement - UPDATE 22 October 2018

The 7.5 magnitude earthquake and subsequent tsunami that hit Palu and Donggala in Central Sulawesi Indonesia, Friday 28 September 2018, has killed at least 2, 100 people (as on 15 October 2018). Further, some 680 people are missing, 4, 612 injured and 78, 994 are displaced in over three most affected areas, Donggala, Palu City, and Sigi. In order to improve our understanding of tsunamis and to develop tools and programmes to mitigate their effects, it is vital to learn from this disaster.

Following a request from Indonesia, UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, in collaboration with Indonesian authorities led by the National Commission of Indonesia for IOC-UNESCO and The Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs, will coordinate post-tsunami surveys by International Tsunami Survey Teams (ITST-Palu).  These surveys will complement similar efforts by the Indonesian National Survey Teams (NTST-Palu), and will contribute to understanding the characteristics of the tsunami and its’s impact, and provide information to Government of Indonesia to enable enhancement of tsunami disaster risk management practices.

Please note that the recommended window for international teams to conduct surveys is during 18 October to 30 November 2018, during which time NTST-Palu could provide assistance. It is important to identify an Indonesian collaborator for the field survey and also to obtain appropriate research/survey permit and Visas. Further information is available in these reference documents - (i)Guiding Principles (ii)Framework and Protocols (iii)Indonesia Visa & Permit Procedures and (iv)IOC Manuals and Guides 37 (2nd edition).

The ITST-Palu Coordination Team (ICT) will handle international coordination for this effort. The ICT will be headquartered at the Indian Ocean Tsunami Information Centre (IOTIC) – BMKG Programme Office in Jakarta. ICT will ensure that the scientific surveys are well organised, effective and productive. It will promote sharing of data among filed teams, minimise logistical problems for visitors/hosts, link visiting researchers to Indonesian collaborators and provide a summary report to the Government of Indonesia based on reports from all survey teams.

All international researchers planning to undertake post-tsunami field surveys may contact ITST-Palu. Please address all communication to Ardito M Kodijat, Head IOTIC (a.kodijat@unesco.org; iotic@unesco.org), cc éd to Srinivasa Kumar Tummala, Head, IOTWMS Secretariat (sk.tummala@unesco.org; iotwms@unesco.org) and Laura Kong, Head, ITIC (laura.kong@noaa.gov).

 Click to download ITST-Palu 2018 Announcement Message (22 Oct 2018)