A special session focusing on the recent Tsunami disaster was organised as part of the workshop on 'Education for Ocean Conservation' on 19 January 2005. The session discussed some of the issues related to sustainable livelihood security for the communities in the disaster affected areas. It also discussed post-disaster reconstruction and rehabilitation requirements, as well as the need to have better systems of prediction, warning, and response.

The short term and long term impacts of the disaster on the ecology of the region, particularly on the vulnerable ecosystems such as mangroves, coral reefs and overall marine biodiversity, were discussed within the overall perspective of conservation of oceans, coasts and islands.

The organization of this session assumes significance in view of the critical role of education and communication in reducing the impact of such natural disasters.