UNESCO - United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

21/11/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 22/11/2024 19:31

Barbados Celebrates World Tsunami Awareness Day with Tsunami Ready Recognition Ceremony for the St. James Central Community and Launch of the St. Michael North-West Tsunami[...]

Partnership and collaboration were common themes expressed in the Conference Room of the Department of Emergency Management (DEM) on the morning of November 05 as international partners (Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO [UNESCO/IOC] and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction [UNDRR]), national authorities and representatives of the district emergency organisations (DEOs), commercial sector, churches, hoteliers and the media among others gathered in observance of World Tsunami Awareness Day (WTAD). The National Technical Standing Committee on Coastal Hazards selected WTAD to celebrate the recognition of the St. James Central Community as Tsunami Ready and the launch of the Tsunami Ready Recognition Project for the adjacent community of St. Michael North-West.

In her remarks, Ms. Alison Brome, Programme Officer, Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO Caribbean Tsunami Information Centre (UNESCO/IOC-CTIC) highlighted the devastation of the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami and the achievements of UNESCO/IOC in building and coordinating a robust global early warning and mitigation system comprised of over 140 countries and territories. The critical nature of the Tsunami Ready Recognition Programme (TRRP) and the achievement of St. James Central towards this global system and the societal goal of the Ocean Decade for Sustainable Development for 100% of at-risk communities to be prepared for tsunamis by 2030 through the TRRP were underscored.

The rigorous nature of the TRRP was emphasized by Ms. Kerry Hinds, Director, DEM as she recounted the 12 Indicators which had to be fulfilled in order for positive consideration. Ms. Hinds also drew special attention to the need for collaboration at all levels, a view which was also echoed by the representative for the St. James Central Community, Mr. Selwyn Brooks in his reference to the provisions of the emergency operations plan. Ms. Brome spoke of the contributions of the CTIC to the community's recognition process including technical review of project outputs, support to public awareness and education, and co-hosting of a mapping workshop to enhance the technical capacity of national authorities. The CTIC also leveraged tsunami modelling and risk assessment for the entire island of Barbados through the support of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration International Tsunami Information Center Caribbean Office (ITIC-CAR).

The St. James Central Community is the third tsunami ready community in Barbados. It is characterized by significant residential and commercial development as well a range of tourism establishments, schools, churches and other critical administration facilities and infrastructure. This nomination was predominantly nationally-led from inception and demonstrates the significant capacity of national and community stakeholders to successfully self-implement. In his closing remarks, Dr. Leo Brewster expressed disappointment over the removal of the signs within the Christ Church West Tsunami Ready community and urged the community of St. James Central to desist from such practices. Dr. Brewster outlined the importance of the signage for preparedness and evacuation for tsunamis and other coastal hazards and highlighted the strategic assessment and collaboration by a variety of government entities which ensured optimum placement of signage for maximum reach of population.

Ms. Doriel Gill-Skinner, Chairperson of the St. Michael North-West DEO expressed excitement to be implementing the programme, noting that sensitization and meetings have already been initiated. Dr. Brewster provided additional details on the strategic renewal of the Shermans to Mullins community which was a national pilot. The renewal process would feature an expansion of the physical area to create three new tsunami ready communities based on the national electoral district system. It was noted that this approach would redound to the benefit of maintenance and reporting of progress over the renewal period in particular.

The on-going collaboration between the Government of Barbados and UNESCO for the hosting of the 19th session of the regional tsunami and other coastal hazards warning system in 2026 was commended, and Ms. Brome further highlighted the vital role of knowledge transfer - both formal and intangible to the success of tsunami preparedness efforts. The importance of inclusivity in relation to persons living with disabilities was highlighted as a formal requirement of the TRRP and the on-going work of the CTIC and partners was acknowledged. Ms. Brome pledged the continued support of the UNESCO-IOC in the maintenance, renewal and nomination of Tsunami Ready communities across all Member States.

St. James Central follows the communities of Laborie, Saint Lucia and Portsmouth, Dominica which were recognized in September 2024 and there are now 23 Tsunami Readdy communities within the Caribbean and adjacent regions under the UNESCO-IOC-led TRRP.