A recent media sensitization workshop on the island’s Tsunami-Ready Recognition Programme revealed the debunking of several misconceptions surrounding tsunami hazards.
Fabian Hinds, a Coastal Planner with the Coastal Zone Management Unit, clarified that the workshop’s objective was to familiarize the media with the Tsunami-Ready Recognition Programme currently underway across the island. Speaking at the Department of Emergency Management, Mr. Hinds expressed the hope that the session would enable the media to provide more comprehensive reports aimed at educating the public.
He emphasized, “The primary aim is to save lives in the event of a tsunami, as there have been instances of small tsunamis in the past, indicating a real threat.”
Christa von Hillebrandt-Andrade, Manager of the International Tsunami Information Center Caribbean Office, addressed some of the prevalent myths. She stressed that one significant misconception was the belief that tsunamis did not occur in the Caribbean, contrary to evidence that over 80 tsunamis have affected Caribbean coastlines, resulting in over 3,500 fatalities. She highlighted the infrequency of these events as a challenge in raising awareness, noting the tragic 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami event as a sobering example.
Mrs. von Hillebrandt-Andrade also pointed out the misconception that tsunamis consist of a single receding wave, whereas they typically involve a series of ocean waves. She emphasized that the most significant myth was the belief that nothing could be done to protect against tsunamis, emphasizing the importance of knowing evacuation zones, having a family plan, and being prepared to react swiftly.
The workshop also provided media members with insights into Barbados’ Tsunami-Ready Recognition Project, including warning and dissemination protocols, as well as schematics for the island. The event was organized by the Department of Emergency Management and the Coastal Zone Management Unit, in collaboration with national and international partners, including the UNESCO/IOC-led Intergovernmental Coordination Group for the Tsunami and Other Coastal Hazards Warning System for the Caribbean and Adjacent Regions.