Much Needed Training On Tsunami Warning & Response Featured
Participants at the Training
Nuaku'alofa, 24 August 2015. National counterparts from various Government Ministries and Non-Government Organization are receiving much needed training at the National Emergency Management Office (NEMO) in Nuku'alofa on Tsunami Warning and Response.
The 1 week training which is hosted by the Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications (MEIDECC) in partnership with the UNESCO Inter-governmental Oceanographic Commission (UNESCO/IOC), the US National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Geo-Nuclear Science New Zealand and the International Tsunami Information Centre (ITIC). The training focuses on looking at tsunami standard operating procedures for first responders, early warning and coordination, tsunami evacuation, awareness and response.
Speaking at the Opening of the Workshop the Acting CEO for MEIDECC, Mr. 'Alifeleti Tuihalamaka stated that "As we have seen from the Tsunami that caused the loss of 9 lives in Niuatoputapu in the 2009, tsunami is a real threat to Tonga."
He further stated "Tonga must be prepared for tsunami. From knowing vulnerable areas to coastal inundation, detection of earthquakes and ensuring that warning information reaches all citizens and visitors to Tonga in a timely manner and the people know what to do…..WE MUST BE READY".
The Director of the National Tsunami Warning Centre, Mr. 'Ofa Fa'anunu stated "Since October 2014, Tonga is now responsible for issuing its own tsunami warnings. This training is very timely to address gaps that currently exist in the early warning system, standard operating procedures and coordination". He also stated that "it is vital that all parties are working together at the national level to ensure that things like public education are carried out to ensure that the public are able to respond in a timely manner to a tsunami threat".
Dr. Laura Kong, Director of the International Tsunami Information Centre based in Honolulu, Hawai'i stated that "we do not know when and where a tsunami will occur so we must be prepared". Director of NEMO, Mr. Leveni 'Aho also confirmed "the tsunami threat for Tonga is extremely high, and the impact of such an events on our islands could be devastating. We therefore must be pro-active in ensuring that we build community resilience to tsunami".
The training which is also attended by representatives from the outer islands runs from the 24 to 27 August 2015 and is co-funded by the Government of Tonga, NOAA, ITIC and UNESCO/IOC and supported by the Tonga Red Cross and GNS Science New Zealand.
ENDS
Issued by the : Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications | Tel : +676 28 170 | Email : This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | Website : www.mic.gov.to
