Uvita-Bahía

In July 2021, Uvita-Bahía, Costa Rica, received recognition as Tsunami Ready under the Pilot Community Performance Based Tsunami Recognition Programme being developed by Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). As part of the efforts in Costa Rica to improve an end-to-end tsunami early warning system, Uvita-Bahía fulfilled the Programme’s guidelines; thus, empowering its vulnerable coastal communities to take effective action in the event of a potential tsunami and save lives. Outputs included the creation of an inundation and evacuation maps for the community, as well as the installation of signage for evacuation routes, assembly points and tsunami hazard zones. The National System for Monitoring of Tsunamis (SINAMOT) - National University of Costa Rica (UNA) also undertook extensive public education, conducted drills, and formulated an emergency operations plan (EOP). Schools, businesses and the public also actively participated in a number of activities during the implementation process. The Tsunami Ready effort was led by the community supported by SINAMOT and CNE. The Tsunami Ready Programme incorporates risk knowledge assessment, preparedness actions and response planning with recognition being granted upon the satisfactory completion of a verification process confirming fulfilment of the guidelines.

Uvita-Bahía Documents