The Earthquake Unit (EQU), has launched its Inaugural Seismic Microzonation Training Programme under the Jamaica Disaster Vulnerability Reduction Project (JDVRP). This training programme was developed to build capacity in research related to understanding seismic risk across the island. The project is funded by the World Bank through the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) who is supporting the acquisition of research equipment and the development of a training programme. Mr. Kevin Tankoo holds the position of project lead and concurrently serves as the Head of the Earthquake Unit.

The introduction sessions were held on Monday, December 11 and Tuesday, December 12, 2023 in the Faculty of Science and Technology at The UWI, Mona Campus and included representatives from the Earthquake Unit, The UWI and several government organizations/agencies including the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) municipal corporations, Mines and Geology Division (MGD), The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA), Jamaica Institution of Engineers (JIE) and the private sector among others.

Microzonation studies provide crucial information in understanding seismic risk and represent a critical step in earthquake risk mitigation, policy development and planning at a national scale.

Photo caption: Participants at the Inaugural Seismic Microzonation Training Programme under the Jamaica Disaster Vulnerability Reduction Project (JDVRP) with Mr. Kevin Tankoo on December 11, 2023.

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