As part of this effort, Tsunami Awareness Week was held from 16 to 20 March. During the week, the Crisis team visited primary and secondary schools and engaged with students in Grades 4 to 6. The sessions explained what tsunamis are, why awareness matters for St. Eustatius, and what actions to take in a safe and age-appropriate way.
Students also received pamphlets with practical tips on earthquake awareness. The sessions were interactive and designed for children, using simple explanations, visuals, and participatory activities to support learning without causing fear.
The Crisis Manager also shared information with the public through the Shedding Light social media/radio programme. To conclude the week, the Crisis team participated in the annual Tsunami Wave exercise organised by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and other partners in the Kingdom of the Netherlands, including the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (Koninklijk Nederlands Meteorologisch Instituut, KNMI).
Educating young people is an important part of building long term preparedness within the community. By learning about these risks early, students can better understand their environment and respond calmly in emergency situations.
The Government of Statia would like to thank the schools for welcoming the team into their classrooms and looks forward to continued cooperation in strengthening awareness and preparedness across the island.
