CARIBE WAVE: A Decade of Exercises for Validating Tsunami Preparedness in the Caribbean and Adjacent Regions

Abstract

ABSTRACT The year 2021 marked a decade of CARIBE WAVE (CW) exercises organized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Coordination Group for Tsunamis and Other Coastal Hazards Warning System for the Caribbean and Adjacent Regions (ICG CARIBE/EWS). This region has had a long history of devastating tsunamis, and over the years the risk to lives and livelihoods of coastal communities has continued to increase. The tsunami threat in the Caribbean provides a strong incentive for countries to prepare and participate in annual tsunami exercises. The CW exercise is carried out with the purpose of validating and advancing tsunami resilient communities in the region. As a result of these exercises, countries have been able to test and improve communications between the Tsunami Service Provider and their National Tsunami Warning Centers (NTWC) and Tsunami Warning Focal Points (TWFP), as well as practice their emergency response plans. Participation of the public (including mass media communications, social media engagements, tsunami walks, etc.) and regional government beyond TWFP and NTWC has played a critical role in developing tsunami awareness in the greater community. This study collates the history and background of exercises since 2011, resulting in enhancing tsunami preparedness and awareness. Ongoing CW exercises should continue and be strengthened so that the region is prepared as possible to respond and recover when the next tsunami strikes the shores of the Caribbean and Adjacent Regions.