5. The 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami
The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami was one of the deadliest natural disasters in modern history, striking 14 countries and causing over 230,000 deaths. The sheer scale of destruction united the global community in an unprecedented humanitarian response. Relief efforts spanned continents, leading to new standards in international disaster preparedness and early warning systems. This tragedy not only reshaped coastlines but also forged stronger international cooperation and resilience for future catastrophes. Read more from UNDRR.
