Caribbean Tsunami Information Centre

The Caribbean Tsunami Information Centre (CTIC) helps develop and provide info on tsunami warning systems, risks and good practices by engaging with Member States and the general public across the Caribbean Sea basin.

Origins

The Caribbean Tsunami Information Centre (CTIC) is a partnership initiative between the Government of Barbados and UNESCO-IOC, also supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Barbados and the OECS.

CTIC works with the ICG/CARIBE-EWS to provide tsunami awareness and risk-mitigation services to its Member States and other territories in the Caribbean and its adjacent regions, as well as Observer Member States and observer organisations.

Bird's-eye view of Brownes Beach in Bridgetown, Barbados.

Shutterstock. Mario Hagen

As part of its international mandate to expand tsunami knowledge and awareness to help build Member States' capacity and prepare the public, CTIC has taken on the following role, strategic focus, key functions, and partners:

CTIC serves as an information resource from which government agencies, public and private stakeholders, partners and the general public can draw to implement tsunami and other coastal hazards safety measures to save life and property.

It supports national and community-level implementation to ensure that populations in vulnerable coastal areas are prepared and respond appropriately and in a timely manner upon recognition that a potentially destructive tsunami or other coastal hazard may be approaching.

Improving knowledge, awareness and education on tsunamis and other coastal hazards.
Establishing a technical training programme, including workshops and exercises, for improving tsunami preparedness.
Enhancing strategic partnerships and resources to advance CTIC functions.
Establishing an effective programme for monitoring the ICG/CARIBE-EWS.

Monitor the effectiveness of the ICG/CARIBE-EWS.
Encourage active Member State participation in the ICG.
Assist national stakeholders in establishing warning and mitigation systems.
Act as a resource for strengthening the technical and institutional aspects of the ICG as well as the development, publication, and distribution of multi-lingual educational and preparedness materials on tsunamis and other coastal hazards.
Provide information regarding tsunami and other coastal hazard events and investigations.

Key partners include ICG/CARIBE-EWS Member States, the other tsunami information centres (serving the Pacific and Indian Oceans, and the north-eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean), regional and national disaster management stakeholders, scientists, educators, media, donors, development agencies, and the general public.

Alison Brome

Head of CTIC

National Professional Officer

Tsunami Resilience Section

UNESCO-IOC

Sadie-Ann Sisnett

CTIC Project Coordinator

Angela Savoury

CTIC Project Assistant

Programmes & activities

As part of its international mandate to foster and disseminate information on tsunami awareness, forecasting, and mitigation, CTIC's programmes cover a wide range of activities and services.

The enhancement of existing multi-format secondary school tsunami education materials is a CTIC priority.

CTIC spearheads this process for English-speaking CARICOM ICG/CARIBE-EWS Member States in partnership with the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management agency (CDEMA) and the Seismic Research Centre of the University of the West Indies (SRC).

As part of the process, mechanisms for integrating the materials within school curriculums as well as piloting complemented by in-country training workshops in select Member States is also considered.

Opportunities for the adaptation of materials for non-English speaking Member States is also pursued.

CTIC pilots Tsunami Ready implementation in the ICG/CARIBE-EWS based on the interest of its Member States and availability of funding.

Key partners include the Caribbean Tsunami Warning Programme (CTWP), UNESCO-IOC, the United States Agency for International Development Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA), the United Nations Development Programme Sub-Regional Office for Barbados and the OECS (UNDP).

The programme incorporates all components of the tsunami early warning system.

CTIC supports the execution of the annual Caribe Wave exercise and ICG/CARIBE-EWS Member States in their national-level exercise and similar activities.

CTIC makes the most of a range of events to market and showcase its services and resources, pursue the translation and adaptation of PAE materials and the development of new resources on tsunamis and other coastal hazards through UNESCO-IOC support and feedback from Member States.

The distribution of virtual and hard copy public awareness and education materials to ICG MSs, partners and other stakeholders is carried out along with the maintenance of linkages with other TICs to ensure complementarity and information sharing.

CTIC, in association with UNESCO-IOC, the International Tsunami Information Centre (ITIC), the other global TICs, and other partners, provides training and capacity-building support to Member States in order to strengthen their tsunami warning communication, hazard assessment, tsunami preparedness and response operations.

In association with the ICG/CARIBE-EWS Secretariat, CTIC supports the coordination of Working Groups and Task Teams to contribute to their functioning.

CTIC pursues the finalisation of agreements with strategic ICG/CARIBE-EWS Member States, partners and donors in order to secure in-kind and financial resources to facilitate its efficient operations.