“Tsunami Ready” Project Highlights Disaster Readiness

2026-02-28 - 05:46

The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Samoa’s National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) along with National Tsunami Warning Center under the Samoa Meteorological Service, convened a series of meetings with Tsunami Ready stakeholders in Samoa. The meetings will gathered experts from NOAA’s International Tsunami Information Center (ITIC) and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO to lay the foundation for Tsunami Ready recognition in Samoa. The ITIC led the project and is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of State. The meetings, on February 23–28, 2026, introduced and build the foundation for Samoa to recognize prepared communities under the UNESCO-IOC Tsunami Ready Recognition Program (TRPP). The TRRP provides a structured pathway for communities to understand their tsunami hazard and risk, engage in planning exercises, and validate their response capabilities to tsunamis. The Tsunami Ready Program sets out 12 indicators covering tsunami hazard assessment and inundation mapping, warning dissemination, evacuation planning, public education, and regular exercises. Recognition confirms that communities have the systems, coordination mechanisms, and public awareness in place to respond effectively when a tsunami threat occurs, and commits them to continuous improvement through periodic review and renewal. In 2017, Savaia was recognized as one the first Tsunami Ready communities in the world, and so it is now time for their recognition to be renewed. “Tsunami readiness saves lives. Implementing Tsunami Ready demonstrates our two countries’ shared commitment to ensuring every community has the tools to face tsunami threats with confidence,” said the U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Daniel Tarapacki. “For decades, the United States and Samoa have worked together on disaster preparedness, which keeps Samoans and visiting Americans safer, stronger, and more prosperous.” “Being Tsunami Ready means we understand the risks, we have early warning systems, people know evacuation routes, and we work together to protect lives and property. Disaster planning is not only the responsibility of the Government, but of every village and family. Saving lives is the priority,” said ACEO-DMO Fesola’i Molly Nielsen. “Tsunamis are no-notice events. We don’t know when the next big one will be, so we need to always be ‘Tsunami Ready,’” said Dr. Laura Kong, Director of the International Tsunami Information Center, the primary provider of tsunami warning and preparedness training in the Pacific. The meetings will provide training on implementing and sustaining a National Tsunami Ready Program and supporting a National Tsunami Ready Board, with local focal points coordinating and documenting activities at both national and community levels to build long-term resiliency. For decades, the United States and Samoa have partnered to strengthen disaster resilience and promote regional stability. Through agencies like NOAA, the United States continues to support initiatives that build the resilience of Samoan communities against natural disasters, reinforcing a shared commitment to safety, readiness, and prosperity across the Pacific. Tsunami evacuation signage helps guide people to safety. Dr. Kong and Ms. Nielsen reminded everyone that the deadly 2009 tsunami hit Lalomanu and the southeastern side of Upolu in less than 15 minutes, so knowing where to go is critical.