Sri Lanka Red Cross carries out tsunami simulation exercise

Reducing risk is an important factor in vulnerable communities prone to numerous hazards. The Sri Lanka Red Cross Society (SLRCS) joined hands with the Disaster Management Centre to commemorate the International Day for Disaster Reduction, announced by the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR), on 13th October 2010 with various activities held throughout the country.

The SLRCS Community Based Early Warning Programme has conducted Tsunami simulation exercises in five coastal areas of the Ampara district to test the community level last mile warning dissemination and evacuation plans for better improvements.

The Ampara branch has conducted various consultative meetings with Government agents, divisional secretaries and relevant local officials to organize similar meetings in the Kalmunai, Karative, Akkaraipattu, Aliyadiwembu and Lahugala divisions.

More than 100 Red Cross (RC) volunteers actively engaged in these activities have been trained in the programme over the last two years, highlighting the huge impact of this successful activity. Furthermore, the RC intervention has telecast in all media and given a significant value to the SLRCS humanitarian effort over the last seven decades.

This activity was conducted in parallel with the National Tsunami simulation exercises conducted in 14 coastal districts, organized by Disaster Management Centre, highlights the strong links between SLRCS & DMC during last five years.

The RC volunteers encouraged DMC to have drills in all 14 districts where SLRCS have a strong volunteer base through out the country. In this exercise various agencies involved in the early warning issuing and dissemination and subsequent early action in the ground. The wider group participation was expected in all phases of the activity and prior arrangements been done at national level.