The important body of documentary heritage, records the catastrophic Indian Ocean tsunami of 26 December 2004. Generated by waves exceeding 30 meters in height, the tsunami caused widespread devastation across Bangladesh, Indonesia, India, Malaysia, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and twelve other countries, resulting in the loss of more than 310,000 lives.

The archives consist of records in multiple media documenting the event itself, disaster response activities, and especially the processes of rehabilitation and reconstruction. Preserved in several affected countries, including Indonesia, India, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and Thailand, the collection comprises approximately 9,311 linear meters of archival records, 500 photographs, 196 audio cassettes, 1,230 electronic CD/DVDs, and 13 magnetic video recordings. Jointly nominated by Indonesia and Sri Lanka for inscription in the Memory of the World International Register, , the Indian Ocean Tsunami Archives provide enduring evidence of the scale of the disaster and the collective response of affected societies. Their preservation supports the objectives of the Memory of the World Programme by safeguarding authentic records of global significance for future generations.