Tsunami risk is taken very seriously in the Seychelles, stressed Ms. Veronique Baker, from the country’s Disaster Risk Management Department.

“Seychelles depends heavily on tourism revenues and we are working closely with hotels and the tourism sector to increase their preparedness. More and more hotels are considering this preparedness as a competitive and business advantage and are eager to participate in our awareness programmes. We also work closely with communities who all have a tsunami focal point,” said Veronica Baker.

The Indian Ocean Commission is also very active in reducing tsunami risks.

“We are depending on the sea for most of our economic activities, from commerce to transport, fisheries and tourism. We need to protect first our populations who are living by the coasts and also our economies. 2004 was a wake up call for all of our islands and we are now much more prepared,” said Ms. Gina Bonne, Head of Environment and Natural Resources, Indian Ocean Commission.

Oman is also exposed but is equipped with anearly warning system and has established 21 stations along its coast.

It has also developed a schools programme to educate and raise awareness on tsunami risk, explained Mr. Omran Kamzari, Director, Pollution Operation Monitoring Centre, Ministry of Environment and Climate Affairs, Oman.

The event in Tunis was organized in the lead up to World Tsunami Awareness Day, celebrated on 5 November, which will have a focus on reducing economic losses from disasters in line with target (c) of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, the global plan for reducing disaster losses.  

The one-hour panel discussion was moderated by Mr. Hosam Sokkari and included panelists from countries which are highly dependent on tourism revenues and could be affected by tsunamis in the future.

Date:

11 Oct 2018

Sources:

United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction - Regional Office for Arab States (UNISDR ROAS)

Themes:

Early Warning, Advocacy & Media, Disaster Risk Management

Hazards:

Earthquake, Tsunami

Countries:

Egypt, Morocco

Regions:

Africa, Europe