Training

 CARIBE WAVE Tsunami Exercise

The Intergovernmental Coordination Group for the Tsunami and Other Coastal Hazards Warning System for the Caribbean and Adjacent Regions (ICG/CARIBE EWS) at its Eighth Session 29 April – 1 May 2013, decided to conduct regional exercises named CARIBE Wave on an annual basis leaving each Member State to define its level of participation. 

The purpose of the March exercise was to improve Tsunami Warning System effectiveness in the Caribbean and adjacent regions.  It therefore supports Member States, institutions, partners, and the general public to improve and validate tsunami readiness. In particular, it provides an opportunity for emergency management organizations throughout the region to exercise their operational lines of communications, review their tsunami response procedures, and promote tsunami preparedness.  Regular exercising of response plans is critical to maintain readiness in case of an emergency. This is essential for the Caribbean and adjacent regions, where tsunamis are infrequent but can be of very high impact.  Participation in CARIBE WAVE has been impacted as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic however it has consistently met key targets and metrics.  There is a strong synergy between the CARIBE WAVE Exercise and the Tsunami Ready Programme.

Source: UNESCO/IOC. 2020. Exercise CARIBE Wave 2020. A Caribbean and Adjacent Region Tsunami Warning Exercise, 19 March 2020 (Jamaica and Portugal). Volume 2: Summary Report. Paris, UNESCO, IOC Technical Series No 151, Vol. 2. (English only) Table 1. Goals and Metrics. * As reported by Member States and Territories

This ICG/CARIBE EWS CARIBE WAVE Task Team comprised of CTIC, Regional Tsunami Service Provider, Member State and partner representatives coordinates this activity.  The ICG/CARIBE EWS Caribe Wave Task Team has lead responsibility for the development of the Exercise Handbook with simulated scenarios, pre-exercise webinars, registration, the post exercise webinar (hot wash) and exercise evaluation.