Maldives city to receive UNESCO Tsunami Ready certification
International certification recognizes communities that meet global tsunami preparedness standards as Maldives seeks to strengthen disaster resilience across its low-lying islands by 2030
MALÉ, Maldives (MNTV) — A city in the Maldives is set to become the country’s first community to receive UNESCO’s “Tsunami Ready” certification, marking a milestone in the island nation’s efforts to strengthen disaster preparedness against one of its most significant natural hazards.
Kulhudhuffushi, a city in the northern Maldives, is expected to receive the designation after implementing a series of measures designed to improve emergency preparedness and public response during tsunami threats, according to state media PSM News.
Authorities have installed evacuation maps, disaster response information and clearly marked safe zones across the city as part of the certification process. Public buildings, including schools and mosques, have also been designated as emergency shelters, while a warning system using mosque loudspeakers has been established to rapidly alert residents during disasters.
The UNESCO “Tsunami Ready” program recognizes coastal communities that meet internationally accepted standards for tsunami preparedness. The certification assesses whether communities have effective early warning systems, evacuation planning, public education and emergency response mechanisms in place to reduce the loss of life during tsunami events.
The Maldives, a chain of nearly 1,200 low-lying coral islands scattered across the Indian Ocean, is among the world’s most geographically vulnerable countries to coastal hazards, including tsunamis, storm surges and sea-level rise. The devastating Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004 affected every inhabited island in the country, causing widespread destruction and underscoring the need for stronger disaster preparedness.
Officials say Kulhudhuffushi is expected to serve as a model for other island communities seeking to improve disaster resilience through internationally recognized standards.
The National Disaster Management Authority aims to make every inhabited island in the Maldives eligible for the UNESCO certification by 2030 under government’s Resilient Maldives initiative, which focuses on strengthening the country’s ability to prepare for and respond to natural disasters.
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