Fighting Inequality for a Resilient Future

“We need to start investing now to protect long-term development against climate and other disaster risks.”- Mami Mizutori.- Special Representative of the UN Secretary General for Disaster Risk Reduction. Jamaica is extremely vulnerable to climate change impacts. In addition, more than 60% of Jamaica’s population resides within 2 km of the coast, with the majority either dependent on, or affected by coastal activities. Tsunamis pose a significant threat to all of us, but they are particularly dangerous for certain groups of people, such as women, children, people with disabilities, and older persons. The word "tsunami" comprises the Japanese words "tsu" (meaning harbour) and "nami" (meaning wave). A tsunami is a series of enormous waves created by an underwater disturbance usually associated with earthquakes occurring below or near the ocean. Volcanic eruptions, submarine landslides, and coastal rock falls can also generate a tsunami, as can a large asteroid impacting the ocean. They originate from a vertical movement of the sea floor with the consequent displacement of water mass. Tsunami waves often look like walls of water and can attack the shoreline and be dangerous for hours, with waves coming every 5 to 60 minutes. Although tsunamis are infrequent, they can have devastating consequences. In the last century, only 58 tsunamis have occurred, but they have claimed over 260,000 lives. This year's World Tsunami Awareness Day theme is "Fighting Inequality for a Resilient Future.” The purpose of World Tsunami Awareness Day (WTAD) is to raise awareness about reducing tsunami-related risks and enhance community preparedness. The observance encourages all sectors of society to engage and collaborate on disaster risk reduction. The activities during this observance aim to explore the relationship between tsunamis and inequality. Specifically, they focus on how inequality can make tsunamis more dangerous for certain populations and how the aftermath of a tsunami can drive vulnerable people further into poverty, thus worsening inequality. Background. In December 2015, the United Nations General Assembly designated 5 November as World Tsunami Awareness Day, calling on countries, international bodies and civil society to raise tsunami awareness and share innovative approaches to risk reduction. World Tsunami Awareness Day is the brainchild of Japan, which due to its repeated, devastating experiences has over the years built up major expertise in areas such as tsunami early warning, public action and building back better after a disaster to reduce future impacts. UN Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) facilitates the observance of World Tsunami Awareness Day in collaboration with the rest of the United Nations system. Tsunamis are rare events but can be extremely deadly. The United Nations states that in the past 100 years, 58 of them have claimed more than 260,000 lives, or an average of 4,600 per disaster, surpassing any other natural hazard. The highest number of deaths in that period was the Indian Ocean tsunami of December 2004. It caused an estimated 227,000 fatalities in 14 countries, with Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India and Thailand being hardest-hit. Early Warning. The global reality is of such that disasters intensify the inequitable variables of our world. Unquestionably, urban planning is crucial and must take centre stage regarding the orderly expansion of cities as it relates to disaster monitoring and seismic management. According to the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), there is no comprehensive Caribbean tsunami early warning system. However, CDEMA adds that with the support of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO, the Intergovernmental Coordination Group for the Caribbean and Adjacent Regions including Central America and South America (ICG/CARIBE), is coordinating the efforts of seismic monitoring and other technical agencies in the Caribbean and Adjacent Regions in the process of developing a tsunami and other coastal hazards warning system for the region, called the (ICG/CARIBE EWS). In Jamaica, Old Harbour Bay was the first tsunami-ready community. Jamaica was recognized as Tsunami Ready under the Pilot Community Performance Based Tsunami Recognition Programme being implemented by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (UNESCO/IOC) Intergovernmental Coordination Group for the Tsunami and Other Coastal Hazard Warning Systems for the Caribbean and Adjacent Regions (ICG/CARIBE-EWS). As part of the regional efforts to develop an end-to-end tsunami early warning system, Old Harbour Bay fulfilled the Programme’s guidelines; thus empowering its vulnerable coastal communities to take effective action in the event of a potential tsunami and save lives. The fact that the Caribbean region is lacking in establishing early warning systems for their citizens, especially for residents living on the coastline or nearby is problematic. Our coastlines are vulnerable. Additionally, affordable housing is a problem in the region and many persons build their homes on available lands without following established building guidelines and codes putting themselves and their families in harm’s way in the event of a tsunami. As the Caribbean continues the fight against inequality for a resilient future it is very clear that more support is required for our regional disaster management institutions, such as the Caribbean Tsunami Information Centre (CTIC). The Caribbean Tsunami Information Centre (CTIC) is an organ of the Intergovernmental Coordination Group for the Tsunami and Other Coastal Hazards Warning System for the Caribbean and Adjacent Regions (ICG/CARIBE EWS). How to Survive a Tsunami?. The countries of Jamaica, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic all share the Enriquillo–Plantain Garden fault zone ( EPGFZ), a major left-lateral, strike-slip fault system bounding the Caribbean and North American plates. The 2010 Haiti earthquake killed more than 50,000 people. In 1692, a massive earthquake devastated the town of Port Royal in Jamaica killing thousands. The strong tremors, soil liquefaction and a tsunami brought on by the earthquake combined to destroy the entire town. Additionally, in 1907, the city of Kingston was rocked by a powerful 6.2 magnitude earthquake resulting in the deaths of over 800 people. The 5.6 magnitude earthquake that rocked Jamaica on Monday, October 30 highlighted the fact many families do not have a family disaster plan in place. Too many of us panicked and did not know what to do. It is important that families come together and discuss for example, where to gather after a natural disaster such as an earthquake. Each family should have a Tsunami Emergency Kit. This kit should include: flashlights and batteries, medication taken regularly such as an asthma inhaler or hypertension or diabetes medication, copies of important documents such as birth certificates, cellular phones, emergency cash, clothing two sets for each person, emergency supply of food and water, battery operated radio, this is critical since this will facilities obtaining vital information from officials concerning what is happening. Earthquakes are one of the triggers for a tsunami. Equally important is that schools have frequent earthquake and fire drills in order to heighten awareness among all stakeholders regarding what to do during and after a disaster. After the tsunami subsides, it will leave behind ruins, destroyed buildings and destroyed infrastructure. There may also be dead bodies. The water supply may be interrupted. There will also be interruptions in the products. Possible illnesses, post-traumatic stress, grief, hunger and injury will make life after a tsunami as dangerous as the tsunami itself. An emergency plan should also consider the implications and how to protect yourself, your family, and those around you. Listen to the radio for how the situation is changing. Do not believe the rumours. It is better to wait than to return too early and fall into the trap of new waves. Firstly, protect yourself during an earthquake. If indoors, go under a sturdy table or object, cover your head and neck and hold on. If outdoors, move to a clear area if you can safely do so, away from trees, and drop to the ground. If you have mobility issues that prevent you from getting up on your own, do not drop to the ground but do cover your neck and head and hold on. Secondly, move to high ground. As soon as it is safe to move, go to higher ground. Avoid downed power lines. Finally, remain on high grounds, given that waves from a tsunami may arrive for eight hours or longer. Only return to the coast after officials have given the all clear. The Way Forward. In order to have disaster -resilient societies, governments must redouble their commitments not only to those institutions tasked with disaster monitoring and management but also to work more forcefully in the area of public education in order to adequately disseminate information. Additionally, regional disaster management agencies must also be strengthened in order to meet the increasing likelihood of more devastating disasters especially in an era of climate change and global warming. Given all the information that is now available on tsunamis no country should be caught flat footed regarding such disasters. Wayne Campbell is an educator and social commentator with an interest in development policies as they affect culture and or gender issues. waykam@yahoo.com @WayneCamo © #WorldTsunamiAwarenessDay