Director of the Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Service (ABMS), Dale C. S. Destin, has urged greater national investment in early warning systems and disaster readiness as Antigua and Barbuda joins the world in observing World Tsunami Awareness Day under the theme “Be Tsunami Ready: Invest in Tsunami Preparedness.”

In a statement marking the occasion, Destin reaffirmed the ABMS’s commitment to protecting lives, livelihoods, and property from tsunami hazards, emphasizing that preparedness must be treated as a continuous national priority rather than a once-a-year observance.

As Antigua and Barbuda’s National Tsunami Warning Focal Point (TWFP) and National Tsunami Warning Centre (TWC), the ABMS plays a vital role in the regional and global tsunami warning network. Destin highlighted the need for modern, resilient facilities, reliable communication and monitoring systems, and trained personnel capable of providing round-the-clock operational readiness and public engagement.

He also linked the call for investment to the UN’s Early Warning for All (EW4All) initiative, which aims to ensure that every person on the planet is protected by life-saving early warning systems by 2027.

“Tsunami awareness is more than a yearly observance,” Destin noted. “it is a sustained commitment to preparedness, education, and capacity building. Every second counts in a tsunami, and every investment made in early warning saves lives and protects national development gains.”

Destin concluded by urging all stakeholders, government, private sector, and communities, to work together to make Antigua and Barbuda truly “Tsunami Ready,” resilient, and secure.

World Tsunami Awareness Day, observed annually on November 5, was established by the United Nations to promote understanding of tsunami risks and encourage nations to strengthen preparedness and response capacities.