Tsunami awareness and preparedness |17 August 2016

Key agencies sharpen skills

Some 30 representatives from key agencies  and organisations closely involved in  sending out early warning tsunami information, educating, evacuating, rescuing and transporting people in the event of a tsunami are following a four-day training to strengthen their capacity and boost their knowledge and skills.

The training has been organised by the Division of Risk and Disaster Management (DRDM) in partnership with the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the Unesco and the Indian Ocean Tsunami Information Centre of Jakarta, Indonesia (IOTIC).

The training is being conducted by a team of four international tsunami experts and researchers as well as local risk and disaster officials from the DRDM.

Ardito Kodijat, the head of the Indian Ocean Tsunami Information Centre in Jakarta is leading the team as well as the training.

“Tsunamis remain a big threat to Indian Ocean countries and they can happen anytime thus the need to continue building on the awareness and preparedness capacities of agencies and organisations in all countries at risk,” Mr Kodijat said in introductory remarks before the start of the training.

He noted that the tsunami experience coastal nations went through in 2004 has  forced all of them to become aware of the deadly threat that can emerge from  the same ocean on which they depend heavily for their livelihood.

Paul Labaleine, the director general of the DRDM, officially launched the four-day training which is taking place at the Berjaya Beau Vallon Bay Resort & Casino.

“Tsunamis don’t happen often but when they do occur their impacts are really devastating so the need to be prepared and ready to respond,” Mr Labaleine stressed.

He added that even though early warning systems are put in place it is important to continuously conduct preparedness exercises to test the systems and address shortcomings.

During the training those taking part will also learn more about the tsunami hazards for Seychelles and the region, tsunami mitigation measures, risks reduction and management measures among other related issues.

They will also learn more about the forthcoming Indian Ocean Wave Exercise 2016 expected to take place here before the end of the year. This is an exercise which evaluates the readiness of the Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System and  identifies changes that can improve its effectiveness.