Residents across Barbados are encouraged to wear blue to mark World Tsunami Awareness Day tomorrow, Friday, November 5.
This forms part of a social media campaign being conducted by the Department of Emergency Management (DEM) to create awareness about the coastal hazard, which has claimed the lives of millions of people worldwide.
Persons are encouraged to take pictures wearing blue and tag the DEM on its social media channels using the hashtag #BeTsunamiSmart. Pictures may be uploaded to the DEM’s Facebook page @dem246; Instagram at dem.barbados; or Twitter @dem_barbados.
Over the coming days, the DEM will also seek to share information via its social media channels related to tsunamis, as it seeks to increase the public’s awareness and understanding about the hazard; provide information on preparing for adverse impacts, and continue to promote disaster risk management linkages in the private sector.
November 5 was designated as World Tsunami Awareness Day by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015. It was the brainchild of Japan, which used its bitter experience with tsunamis to strengthen tsunami warning protocols, public action and rebuilding after disasters.