UNESCO and Partners Train Experts to Keep Pacific and Caribbean Safe from Tsunamis

The training was led by the International Tsunami Information Center (ITIC), which is part of efforts by UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC/UNESCO) to ensure a safe ocean for ever-more resilient coastal communities. The goal of the training was to teach these experts about early warning systems for tsunamis and how to plan for the safety of their communities, covering important topics such as the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center's tsunami forecast products, creating plans for evacuations in case of tsunamis, and how to take part in the special recognition program from UNESCO that acknowledges communities that are well-prepared for tsunamis, the Tsunami Ready Recognition Programme.

The participants learned from various experts, including from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, the University of Hawaii, and the local Honolulu Department of Emergency Management, who introduced important tools used to monitor earthquakes and sea levels, forecast tsunamis, and assess the risk to coastal areas.

As part of the training, participants visited the operations room of the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center to see how experts analyze data during emergencies. They also had hands-on experience with tools that help make important decisions during tsunamis. To understand how to keep communities safe, the experts visited the Emergency Operations Center responsible for the safety of Honolulu's residents.

The training also included practical activities. The participants worked on creating maps for safe evacuation routes and how to raise awareness about tsunami safety in their communities. They even played a special board game created by UNESCO to help communities understand the importance tsunami preparedness.

One of the most exciting parts of the training was a simulation exercise. Participants role-played as the countries of Fiji, Samoa, and Tonga in a practice scenario where they had to respond to a fictional tsunami threat caused by a simulated earthquake off the Tonga Trench. This helped them understand how to coordinate their actions and communicate effectively during a local tsunami emergency.

The ITIC Training Programme on Tsunami Early Warning Systems was made possible through the support of the United States Partnership for Resilient Infrastructure Investment in Pacific Island Countries and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), as well as through additional funding contributions from IOC/UNESCO.