Choiseul becomes ‘Tsunami Ready’

Choiseul has become the second district in Saint Lucia to receive “Tsunami Ready” recognition through the UNESCO Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission’s programme. The recognition does not mean Choiseul is protected from a tsunami or that serious danger and damage can be avoided. Instead, it means the community has put measures in place to help residents recognise the threat, receive warnings and know where to go if a tsunami occurs.

Those measures include identifying areas at risk, establishing evacuation routes, installing warning signs, educating residents and conducting drills so people are not figuring out what to do for the first time during an emergency. Laborie became the first district in Saint Lucia to receive the recognition two years ago. Getting Choiseul to this point involved several organisations and individuals across the community. Local businesses, the Saint Lucia Fire Service, police, the Choiseul Credit Union and the Disaster Ready Committee were among those recognised for helping with the effort. Mark A Philip, consultant on the Tsunami Ready project, and Jeny Gaillard, Chairperson of the…