St. Kitts and Nevis

                      Installation of Tsunami Hazard Zone sign and Preschool evacuation.

On February 4, 2022, the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis renewed its 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). The Federation had originally received recognition on October 17, 2016. As part of the regional efforts to develop an end-to-end tsunami early warning system, Saint Kitts and Nevis fulfilled the Programme’s guidelines at the country level; 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 inundation maps and evacuation maps for each community, as well as signage for evacuation routes, assembly points and tsunami hazard zones, murals and an animated public awareness video. The National Emergency Management Agency and Nevis Disaster Management Department also undertook also undertook extensive public education, conducted drills, and formulated an emergency operations plan (EOP). Artists, media, businesses, students and the public also actively participated in a number of activities. The renewal of the recognition of Saint Kitts and Nevis as Tsunami Ready was supported by 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.

Saint Kitts and Nevis Documents