Morocco Participates in 15-Country UN Tsunami Readiness Check

Morocco will test its tsunami reaction readiness from October 31 to November 3 during an exercise coordinated by UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the Mediterranean.

UNESCO has recruited a wide array of countries to participate in the exercise, named NEAMWave 17. Morocco is one of 15 countries testing its tsunami readiness, across the Mediterranean region and Europe.

NEAMWave 17 aims to evaluate local tsunami response plans and to improve the level of preparedness and coordination throughout the region, UNESCO said in a statement on Friday, also noting that this will be the third such exercise organized in the region.

In order to remain vigilant, the National Tsunami Warning Centers and civil protection agencies must regularly test their emergency procedures, including communication channels and the ability of professionals to respond in case of a disaster.

This exercise is coordinated by the Intergovernmental Coordination Group of the Tsunami Early Warning and Mitigation System in the North-East Atlantic, the Mediterranean and the adjacent IOC Seas, with the support of the United Nations emergency response coordination of the European Commission Civil Protection Mechanism.

In addition to Morocco, Germany, Cyprus, Denmark, Egypt, Spain, France, Russia, Greece, Italy, Ireland, Lebanon, Portugal and Turkey will take part.