Towards a "Tsunami Ready" certification

In various locations across the island, particularly in Gustavia, signs indicate the steps to take in the event of a tsunami. Others indicate refuge sites. These landmarks were used during the "Carib Wave" exercises in March 2024 and 2025. At the same time, the local government and its departments dedicated to territorial security are working to obtain a label issued as part of a UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) certification program: "Tsunami Ready." On Monday, January 19, the local committee, which brings together all the island's stakeholders involved in the project (prefecture, territorial fire and rescue service, gendarmerie, hospital, Red Cross, territorial police, port, airport, hotels, etc.), met for an initial progress review. The meeting took place at the STIS premises in Saint-Jean.

Twelve criteria to be met
The label awarded by UNESCO is highly sought after in the Caribbean. This is confirmed by Eden Gréaux, who works in the civil security department and is responsible for issues related to major risk prevention in Saint Barth. "Quite a few territories are applying for the label, while others have already obtained it," she explains. For Saint Barth, a letter of intent was sent last year to the head of the interministerial staff of the Antilles zone (Emiza), Lieutenant Colonel Polidacci. As the representative of the national committee, he is responsible for monitoring the progress of the project.
Once the application is complete, it will be submitted to the national committee, which will issue an opinion after verifying that all the criteria for obtaining the label have been met. If this is the case, Saint Barth's application will be transferred to UNESCO. To obtain the prestigious label, the local committee will have to meet twelve "indicators" (see box).

Refining work to be continued
"Of the twelve criteria, we have met six," says Eden Gréaux. "The others are in progress, with data to be refined." The local committee is supported by Matthieu Péroche, a lecturer at Paul Valéry University in Montpellier, who is working on the development of the Safe Saint Barth project in Saint Barthélemy. The project has a website (safestbarth.fr) where a wealth of data on major risks, including tsunamis, is listed, detailed, and explained through text and diagrams. It is a mine of information that also includes a map tab showing all areas at risk in the event of a tsunami warning.
The committee's work to obtain the "Tsunami Ready" label will continue in the coming months.