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Haiti - Environment : 9 out of 10 departments in Haiti are exposed to tsunamis
09/01/2024 07:29:20

The Alliance for Risk Management and Business Continuity (AGERCA) recalls that the Caribbean region has already suffered several tsunami waves, at least 75 over the last 500 years which have caused more than 3,000 deaths...

For its part, Haiti has already suffered several tsunami waves. For example, the tsunami of May 7, 1842, which followed an earthquake, killed 300 people in the North. Following the earthquake of January 12, 2010, a tsunami was declared in the West, particularly in Leogâne, and caused 7 deaths. (Source: SEMANAH, UNESCO)

Haiti is a country where all 10 departments, except the Center, are exposed to tsunami risk because there is at least one city in these departments which is exposed to the sea. In addition, Haiti is crossed by the great northern maritime fault , particularly in the North-East, North and North-West departments which increases the level of materialization of this threat.

Among all the coastal cities of Haiti, there is only the city of Fort-Liberté in the North-East department, which is ready for the tsunami. There is a set of indicators and procedures to be respected to be recognized as a tsunami ready city (stunami ready) by UNESCO

Haiti's exposure to the risk of tsunami is natural because it is a country located by the sea with more than 1,700 km of coastline. Consequently, Haiti, which has already been affected by tsunamis, could still be affected if all conditions are met.

Several causes that can trigger a tsunami : an underwater earthquake with a minimum magnitude of 6.5 on the Richter scale and a maximum depth of 50 km; an underwater eruption or the fall of a meteorite into the sea.

AGERCA invites businesses, Civil Society Organizations and the entire population in general to act responsibly by respecting safety instructions to deal with the tsunami.

General safety instructions in the event of a tsunami :

Inform yourself to know if your home or business is safe and secure;
Learn to know the warning signs of a tsunami. These are natural tsunami warnings;
[Warning sign] If the sea suddenly recedes, do not stay to admire the scene, hurry to take the heights;
[Warning sign] If the sea makes a loud noise, don't stand and watch, reach the heights;
Always remain vigilant as a tsunami can occur at any time, with virtually no warning;
Take part in simulation activities organized by the authorities in your area;
Find out places away from the coast and/or on high ground where you and your family could take shelter in case of danger;
Plan a meeting point with your family;
Always have an emergency kit on hand in case you need to evacuate. This kit should contain: food, drugs, spare clothes, water, pocket lamp, radio, battery etc. Listen constantly the radio to follow the messages from the authorities and the civil protection.
After a strong earthquake, a tsunami could occur. Do not stay close to the ribs, gain the heights;
Avide your loved ones and those in your neighborhood that he can have a tsunami;
If you have no choice, climb a tree;
Stay shelter while waiting for the instructions to the authorities. Remember that a tsunami is a series of waves that can occur for several hours;
Follow the instructions of authorities and civil protection.

Important : Don't forget that a tsunami can come from far away without any warning sign. In such a case, civil protection will transmit the alert to the population. In the event of a tsunami alert, do not stay near the sea and gain the heights.

HL/ HaitiLibre