Carriacou and Petite Martinique

On September 24, 2019, the communities of Carriacou and Petite Martinique, Grenada received their recognition as Tsunami Ready under the Pilot Community Performance Based Tsunami Recognition Programme being implemented by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (UNESCO/IOC) Intergovernmental Coordination Group for the Tsunami and Other Coastal Hazard Warning Systems for the Caribbean and Adjacent Regions (ICG/CARIBE-EWS). As part of the regional efforts to develop an end-to-end tsunami early warning system, Carriacou and Petite Martinique fulfilled the Programme’s guidelines at the Parish level; thus empowering its vulnerable coastal communities to take effective action in the event of a potential tsunami and save lives. The recognition process was implemented by the National Disaster Management Agency in coordination with other government and local authorities. Outputs included the creation of inundation maps and evacuation maps for each community, as well as the provision of signage for evacuation routes, assembly points and tsunami hazard zones. The communities also undertook extensive public education, conducted drills, and formulated an emergency operations plan (EOP). The recognition of Carriacou and Petite Martinique as Tsunami Ready was also supported the International Tsunami Information Center Caribbean Office (ITIC-CAR) and the UNESCO/IOC Caribbean Tsunami Information Centre (CTIC). The USAID Bureau of Humanitarian Affairs through ITIC-CAR provided the funding to support many of the activities. 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.

Carriacou and Petite Martinique Documents