The Disaster Management Coordination Agency (DMCA) hosted a tsunami awareness event at Lookout Primary School today, Thursday, March 20, 2025, as part of the annual CARIBE WAVE Exercise. The event engaged students from Grades 4, 5, and 6, aiming to strengthen tsunami preparedness efforts in Montserrat, the Caribbean, and surrounding regions.

DMCA Information and Education Officer Shirlian Queeley, emphasized that while no evacuation drills were scheduled for today, it is crucial for children—one of the most vulnerable groups in our communities and future leaders—to receive firsthand information about tsunami risks. She stressed that this knowledge ensures students know how to respond if they ever face a potential tsunami threat, especially while at the beach.

Beyond immediate preparedness, Miss Queeley highlighted that students will develop lifelong knowledge, enhancing their resilience against various hazards and contributing to a more disaster-ready Montserrat.

Regular CARIBE WAVE Exercises play a key role in testing response agencies’ operational readiness and keeping the public informed and prepared for real events. These exercises align with the objectives of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and the Early Warnings for All initiative.

Additionally, Miss Queeley noted that students from Grades 4 to 6 had the opportunity to learn more about emergency preparedness and win prizes.

As a fundamental tsunami preparedness rule: “Once you receive a warning, head to higher ground.”