Kulhudhuffushi City has begun major preparedness initiatives as it works towards becoming the first city in the Maldives to receive UNESCO’s internationally recognised “Tsunami Ready” certification.
The programme aims to strengthen disaster preparedness and ensure the city is equipped to respond effectively during emergencies. As part of the initiative, evacuation maps and safety information boards are being installed across key locations to guide residents to designated safe areas in the event of a tsunami or other natural disaster.
Authorities have also identified public buildings, including schools and mosques, as emergency evacuation centres where residents can seek shelter during disasters.
In addition, a public warning system is being established using mosque loudspeakers to quickly relay emergency alerts and evacuation instructions to residents whenever a disaster warning is issued.
Officials said the primary objective of the project is to build a resilient community that is well-informed and prepared to respond to emergencies at any time.
UNESCO’s “Tsunami Ready” recognition is an international certification awarded to communities that meet globally accepted standards for tsunami preparedness, early warning systems, and public awareness.
Once the initiative is completed, Kulhudhuffushi is expected to become the first city in the Maldives to earn the certification, setting a national benchmark for disaster resilience and encouraging similar preparedness programmes across other islands.
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said the long-term goal is to secure UNESCO’s “Tsunami Ready” recognition for every inhabited island in the Maldives by 2030, in line with the government’s vision of building a more disaster-resilient nation.
