Alexandria City in Egypt Achieves UNESCO-IOC Tsunami Ready Recognition

At the award ceremony, the Governor of Alexandria, H.E. Mohamed Al-Sharif, spoke about the challenges society faces in responding to risks associated with climate change, particularly sea level rise.

In a milestone achievement, the city of Alexandria has become the first city in Egypt and Africa to achieve UNESCO-IOC Tsunami Ready Recognition. The award ceremony, held on 25 May 2024 at the Office of the Governor of Alexandria, saw Dr. Denis Chang Seng of the Tsunami Resilience Section at UNESCO-IOC commend the dedication of all stakeholders involved.

The UNESCO-IOC Tsunami Ready Recognition Programme (TRRP) is a comprehensive tool designed to strengthen the resilience of coastal communities to tsunamis and other sea level-related hazards. Alexandria's recognition marks a significant accomplishment under the CoastWAVE Project, funded by the Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO).

This collaborative effort involved key partners including the Alexandria Governorate, the National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries (NIOF), the Beach Protection Authority, and several other local entities. Together, they have met the 12 Key Indicators of TRRP, which are crucial for mitigating tsunami risks by connecting people to technical alerting systems and organizing responses to ocean threats. The indicators promote inclusion, participatory approaches, learning, active collaboration, and partnerships among various stakeholders.

Alexandria has a historical relationship with tsunamis. In 365 AD, an earthquake in Crete, Greece, is believed to have triggered a devastating tsunami across the Eastern Mediterranean, leading to the destruction of Alexandria. Today, the city is one of the most at-risk areas in the northeastern Atlantic, Mediterranean, and connected seas region, for populations living under 10 meters above sea level. Technical early warning systems, coupled with preparedness and education, are crucial for saving lives and reducing losses.

At the award ceremony, the Governor of Alexandria, H.E. Mohamed Al-Sharif, spoke about the challenges society faces in responding to risks associated with climate change, particularly sea level rise.

Dr. Denis Chang Seng, Programme Specialist and Technical Secretary of ICG/NEAMTWS of the Tsunami Resilience Section at UNESCO-IOC, praised the dedication of all stakeholders involved, especially Governor Al-Sharif, Neveen Elleithy, Assistant Governor for Climate Change Affairs, as well as Prof. Amr Hamouda, Dr. Suzan El Gharabawy, Prof. Abeer Elsaharty, and Prof. Abeer Moneer from NIOF. He emphasized that Tsunami Ready is a continuous process of resilience building and improvement.

Alexandria follows Cannes, France, and Büyükçekmece, Türkiye, which both achieved Tsunami Ready recognition earlier this year.