The United Nations began coordinating efforts after the 2004 tsunami to create an early warning system for the Indian Ocean. Previously there were no monitoring instruments and many countries lacked tsunami warning agencies. Experts say more cooperation is still needed, but the system is much improved, with networks of sensors, warning centers, and communication across the region to detect and warn of potential tsunamis. While the system has progressed, challenges remain in ensuring all systems function well and that communities receive warnings in time.