Durrant Pate/Contributor

The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) will carry out Jamaica’s national tsunami readiness exercise today, March 19,  2026, as part of the regional Caribe Wave 2026 Tsunami Preparedness Exercise. 

Caribe Wave is an annual regional exercise organised by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO through the Caribbean Tsunami Warning System. Since its launch in 2011, the exercise has helped more than 40 countries and territories test tsunami warning systems, strengthen emergency communication procedures, and improve community preparedness. 

Jamaica participates annually through ODPEM to enhance national preparedness and ensure that coastal communities understand how to respond quickly and safely to a tsunami threat. Activities for Caribe Wave 2026 will take place in 10 parishes, with Port Maria in St. Mary, serving as the main site for the national exercise. 

Selected communities within the parish will take part in evacuation drills and other preparedness activities. The exercise will include: 

• Nationwide observation of the exercise across all parishes 
• Testing communications with the National Tsunami Contact List 
• Activation of tsunami warning procedures 
• Public awareness and preparedness activities 
• Community evacuation drills in Port Maria and surrounding communities

These activities will help residents, emergency responders, and national agencies practise moving quickly to safer locations and responding effectively if a tsunami warning is issued. ODPEM is encouraging schools, businesses, and coastal communities across Jamaica to take part in the exercise and use the opportunity to review their emergency procedures and improve preparedness for a tsunami.

ODPEM is Jamaica’s lead agency for disaster risk management and emergency management, with its mandate comprising developing national policies, coordinating emergency response, and promoting disaster risk reduction through public education, training, and community resilience programmes.