International Day in Memory of the Victims of Earthquakes2026 · Date · History · Messages · Quotes
A/RES/79/285
About International Day in Memory of the Victims of Earthquakes
The International Day in Memory of the Victims of Earthquakes is observed on 29 April. It combines remembrance of people killed and affected by earthquakes with a practical focus on reducing seismic risk and preventing avoidable disaster losses.
The observance is closely aligned with disaster-risk reduction: safer buildings, risk-informed urban planning, preparedness, public awareness and resilient infrastructure can reduce the human consequences of earthquakes.
Why International Day in Memory of the Victims of Earthquakes matters
Earthquakes cannot be prevented, but the scale of disaster they produce is strongly shaped by exposure, structural safety, planning, preparedness and social vulnerability. The Day therefore links commemoration with prevention.
Remembering victims also creates a public reason to preserve lessons from past disasters, support survivors and invest in measures that protect people before the next earthquake occurs.
History of International Day in Memory of the Victims of Earthquakes
Chile, the Philippines and Uzbekistan introduced the resolution establishing the Day, with Uzbekistan championing the initiative.
On 29 April 2025, the United Nations General Assembly adopted A/RES/79/285 and designated 29 April as the annual observance date. The proposing statement explicitly tied the date to the date of adoption.
The resolution tasked the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) with facilitating observance.
The first International Day in Memory of the Victims of Earthquakes was observed on 29 April 2026.
How the observance developed
This timeline uses documented milestones from reviewed sources. Missing stages are left out rather than guessed.
Chile, the Philippines and Uzbekistan
UNDRR states that Chile, the Philippines and Uzbekistan introduced the resolution; Uzbekistan championed the establishment of the Day.
United Nations General Assembly
A/RES/79/285
First documented observance
United Nations and UNDRR first-observance material explicitly identifies 29 April 2026 as the first International Day.
United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR)
The United Nations and UNDRR state that UNDRR is tasked with facilitating observance of the Day.
What the evidence establishes
Confirmed institutional roles and milestones are shown first. Details that could not be established from the reviewed sources are listed separately below.
2 fields not established in reviewed sources
How to Observe International Day in Memory of the Victims of Earthquakes
Hold remembrance activities in ways that respect affected communities and avoid sensational images or unsupported casualty figures.
Practice earthquake safety through locally appropriate drills and preparedness guidance from official emergency-management or disaster-risk authorities.
Use building-safety and urban-planning information to explain why resilient construction, enforcement and retrofitting can save lives.
Document local lessons from past earthquakes and identify concrete preparedness actions for homes, schools, workplaces and public institutions.
International Day in Memory of the Victims of Earthquakes Facts
The Day is observed on 29 April.
The General Assembly established it through A/RES/79/285 on 29 April 2025.
Chile, the Philippines and Uzbekistan introduced the resolution.
29 April was selected as the date of the resolution’s adoption.
UNDRR facilitates the observance, and the first commemoration took place on 29 April 2026.
International Day in Memory of the Victims of Earthquakes Messages
On International Day in Memory of the Victims of Earthquakes, we remember with dignity and make space for the people, families and communities whose experiences must not be forgotten.
May International Day in Memory of the Victims of Earthquakes be marked with reflection, respect and a renewed commitment to protect human dignity.
Remembering on International Day in Memory of the Victims of Earthquakes means listening carefully, resisting distortion and carrying the lessons of history forward.
On International Day in Memory of the Victims of Earthquakes, may memory lead to responsibility, empathy and thoughtful action.
May this International Day in Memory of the Victims of Earthquakes honour those at its heart through sincere remembrance rather than empty words.
International Day in Memory of the Victims of Earthquakes Quotes
“Earthquakes are inevitable, but the devastation they cause does not have to be.”
Topic and context
What this page does not assume
- Keep the source-defined country, community, organizer or institutional scope; do not silently broaden it.
- Do not treat the title alone as proof of government recognition or public-holiday status.
- Do not add a creator, founding story or origin claim unless the supporting evidence establishes it.
- Remembrance Civic Context Care.
Evidence & sources
Sources used across the guide are gathered here. Labels show how each source supports the page, and contextual references are kept separate from primary evidence.
United Nations Digital Library — A/RES/79/285 (opens in a new tab)
UNDRR — A new international day to protect against earthquakes (opens in a new tab)
UNDRR — First International Day to be observed on 29 April 2026 (opens in a new tab)
United Nations — International Day in Memory of the Victims of Earthquakes (opens in a new tab)
United Nations — List of International Days and Weeks (opens in a new tab)
United Nations — Observances: who chooses them and how (opens in a new tab)
Understand it, compare it, then explore further
Start with the most common factual questions, then compare closely related observances and explore useful connections.
Frequently asked questions
When is International Day in Memory of the Victims of Earthquakes?
29 April The documented recurrence rule is: 29 April.
Does International Day in Memory of the Victims of Earthquakes fall on the same date every year?
Yes. It uses a fixed annual date unless stronger evidence changes the pattern.
Is International Day in Memory of the Victims of Earthquakes an official public holiday?
The reviewed sources verify it within this scope: United Nations / international observance. That recognition does not by itself make it a statutory public holiday; the site only makes public-holiday claims when reliable evidence explicitly does so.
Who established or recognizes International Day in Memory of the Victims of Earthquakes?
The reviewed sources identify United Nations General Assembly as the proclaiming or establishing body. The proposer or originator is recorded separately as Chile, the Philippines and Uzbekistan. Current facilitation or coordination is recorded as United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR).
Is International Day in Memory of the Victims of Earthquakes international or country-specific?
The documented scope is international or global: United Nations / international observance. That does not mean every country treats the date as a public holiday or observes it in the same way.
How is this page verified?
The factual information is checked against reviewed sources, including the date pattern, scope and institutional history. This page was checked on 2026-09-05.
When is the International Day in Memory of the Victims of Earthquakes?
It is observed every year on 29 April.
Why was 29 April chosen?
The proposing statement explicitly identified 29 April as the date of adoption of the establishing resolution.
Who facilitates the observance?
The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) was tasked to facilitate the Day.
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