The Maldives has established a Tsunami Ready Board to oversee the implementation of the Tsunami Ready Recognition Programme, a global initiative led by UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission.

The board will function as a sub-committee of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and brings together representatives from key government institutions and emergency response agencies.

The seven-member board comprises officials from the Ministry of Cities, Local Government and Public Works, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Finance and Planning, the Maldives Police Service, the Maldives National Defence Force, and the Maldivian Red Crescent.

The NDMA will serve as chair of the board, while the Ministry of Cities, Local Government and Public Works will act as vice-chair.

The board has been tasked with ensuring that communities meet internationally recognised safety and preparedness standards under the Tsunami Ready Recognition Programme.

To achieve certification, participating localities must demonstrate effective disaster risk management plans, maintain trained emergency response teams, and provide clear and accessible public guidance during emergencies. T

he board will be responsible for assessing compliance and supporting islands throughout the accreditation process.

Although the UNESCO framework primarily focuses on tsunami preparedness, Maldivian authorities have broadened the programme’s scope to address a wider range of environmental and climate-related hazards.

Kulhudhuffushi City has been selected as the pilot location, with efforts currently underway to achieve Tsunami Ready accreditation.

The initiative aligns with President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s vision of building a resilient and disaster-ready nation by 2030.

The NDMA has stated that the long-term goal is to extend Tsunami Ready certification to all inhabited islands across the Maldives within the next ten years, marking a significant step towards strengthening national resilience and gaining international recognition for disaster preparedness efforts.