St. John’s, Antigua: A regional disaster management expert has advised authorities here to discourage constructions that are in close proximity to the ocean, given the increasing threats of tsunamis to the region, according to a report in the Antigua Observer.
Dominican-born Cecil Shillingford, who was on the island last week to help implement a national school safety plan, has also called for more recourse for disaster risk management in the region.
Shillingford said in an interview with OBSERVER Media that recent earthquakes being felt throughout the region means that at any time a tsunami might occur.
“It is real and we have to pay attention to it,” Shillingford said, adding, “Maybe more needs to be done in terms of public relations…Local authorities have to take it seriously and put measures in place to ensure that if one does occur that there will not be massive loss of life,” Shillingford, a former national disaster preparedness coordinator, said.
The Observer reported that the construction of beachfront properties is another area where the disaster risk reduction consultant has expressed concerns.
He said if a major tsunami were to occur, Antigua & Barbuda and other tourism dependent Caribbean islands would have a difficult task.
“We understand that is what the tourist wants but they have to think of some mitigation measures to ensure that the facilities are not totally destroyed.
According to Shillingford, the region has had to bear millions of dollars in costs to properties that have been damaged by recent hurricanes and storms. He said a legislative framework may be of use to the Government of Antigua & Barbuda but added, “Some concessions may have to be granted for tourism because the industry thrives on sea and sand.”
Over the last 500 years, 75 tsunamis have occurred in the Caribbean, said UNESCO. Tsunamis – caused by earthquakes or landslides of volcanic origin – have killed more that 3,500 people in the region since the mid-19th century, the Observer stated.
Population growth and tourism in coastal areas have further heightened the vulnerability of the Caribbean. Some Caribbean islands are moving ahead with the implementation of early warning tsunami systems.
Meanwhile, Shillingford has called for regional Governments to put more resources into disaster management agencies, the Observer said.
“I think the agencies are under resourced, they are understaffed and I think more monies need to be set aside for the programming at the various levels,” he said.
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