La Libertad

Click here to view La Libertad Tsunami Exercise (Aug 2019)

On September 18, 2019, the Municipality of La Libertad, El Salvador, was recognized as Tsunami Ready under the Pilot Community Performance Based Tsunami Recognition Programme being implemented by the UNESCO/IOC-led Pacific Tsunami Warning System (PTWS). As part of the regional efforts to strengthen an end-to-end tsunami early warning system, El Salvador has undertaken a phased approach and fulfil the program’s guidelines at the municipality level; thus empowering one of its most vulnerable coastal communities to take effective action in the event of a potential tsunami and save lives.

The Pilot of La Libertad was coordinated by the US Caribbean Tsunami Warning Program and the International Tsunami Information Centre (ITIC); a partnership arrangement between UNESCO/IOC and the Government of USA. It was implemented in collaboration with the Government of El Salvador (Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources and the National Civil Protection Agency) and non-governmental organizations, together with other regional organizations. Maps were prepared for the 7 communities in the municipality, signage was installed, emergency plan was prepared and practiced in a community exercise.

Funding was provided by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). The Tsunami Ready program incorporates planning, education and awareness with recognition being granted upon the satisfactory completion of a verification process confirming fulfilment of the guidelines. This project built on previous tsunami inundation modelling and evacuation planning conducted by the Instituto Hidraulico Ambiental of Cantabria Spain.

La Libertad Documents