The University of the West Indies Seismic Research Centre (UWI-SRC) in collaboration with the Department of Emergency Management (DEM) Barbados recently participated in a week-long public education campaign which focused on tsunami and earthquake awareness.
Under the theme, “Preserving our Heritage: Mitigating the Impacts of Coastal Hazards”, March has been designated Tsunami and Earthquake Smart month by the DEM Barbados. Within this month of activities, the UWI-SRC with support from the DEM, engaged the public and students in a number of activities designed to raise awareness about earthquake and tsunami hazards. This year particular focus was placed on groups in the St. Lucy and St Phillip parishes, with parishes such as St James, St Peter, St Andrew and Christ Church being targeted in previous years.
Some of the activities this year included Primary and Secondary school workshops and seminars for the public and stakeholder groups such as the Barbados Association of Professional Engineers (BAPE) and the Barbados National Union of Fisherfolk Organization (BARNUFO). Following on the heels of this campaign is the regional Intergovernmental Coordination Group (ICG) Caribe Wave 16 tsunami simulation exercise which aims to advance tsunami preparedness efforts in the Caribbean and Adjacent regions.
