Press Release — NEMA & NDMD, Basseterre, St. Kitts, November 11th, 2021
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Nevis Disaster Management Department (NDMD) have launched their first locally produced Tsunami animated video. The video, entitled ‘Signs of a Tsunami,’ forms part of the Federation’s renewal of its Tsunami Ready status, which was achieved in 2016 through support and funding from UNESCO Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) and the International Tsunami Information Center Caribbean Office. The video was produced by Evolution Media Lab in collaboration with NEMA and NDMD’s staff and volunteers.
It is the hope that this video will educate the people of St. Kitts & Nevis about the warning signs of a tsunami. The main character, Sammy, while at the beach with his family recognises the signs of a tsunami which he learned at school. He encourages his family to ‘go to higher ground,’ which is the required response when a tsunami is approaching.
The launch of this video comes one week after World Tsunami Day, which is annually celebrated on the 5th of November. Deputy National Disaster Co-ordinator (DNDC) Mrs. Claricia Langley-Stevens stated: “Though we have not yet been affected by a tsunami, the Tsunami Seismic Research Center in Trinidad and Tobago has clearly indicated that the Caribbean region is overdue for a seismic related activity that will result in a tsunami sometime in the near future.”
Other projects under the Tsunami Ready program for this renewal period include the painting of Tsunami wall murals — one of which was recently completed in Green Valley, Cayon — and the upgrading of tsunami signs around the Federation.