Abstract: The objective of this international initiative was to provide an integrated framework for strengthening early warning systems in the Indian Ocean region by building on existing systems and facilitating coordination among specialized and technical institutions. The project supported the development of tsunami early warning systems in collaboration with numerous United Nations and other organizations devoted to disaster risk management and risk reduction. For the practitioner of early warning systems, the project has been divided into two areas-warning system development and preparedness. As a cross-cutting theme, the project promoted multi-hazard end-to-end systems in a regional context by emphasizing (i) risk knowledge, (ii) monitoring and warning service, (iii) communications and dissemination of understandable warnings and (iv) response capability and preparedness. The activities of the project were structured into five components-system implementation, integrated risk management, public awareness and education, community-level approaches and project coordination. Practitioners should note that the work represents a first step for establishing a complete tsunami early warning system within a multi-hazard framework.