WE have often, in this space, advocated a continuous programme of awareness to help Jamaicans embrace the need to be prepared for natural disasters and equip them on what to do in the event of the country taking a hit.

Readers will therefore understand our nod of approval for the activities being embarked on by the Earthquake Unit and the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) in this Earthquake Awareness Week, which runs to Saturday, January 17.

Today, January 14, marks the 119th aniversary of the 1907 earthquake which devastated Kingston and several other towns.

The Jamaica Information Service informs us that the week, being spearheaded by ODPEM, will feature a series of activities aimed at engaging citizens and strengthening public awareness.

Additionally, St James Municipal Corporation says it will intensify its routine public education efforts and conduct earthquake preparedness drills across the parish.

Mayor of Montego Bay Richard Vernon last week announced that throughout January the corporation will host public education sessions in schools, businesses, and communities; launch a public awareness campaign via the media; as well as conduct earthquake simulation drills to promote emergency readiness.

In a country where daily pressures often push disaster planning to the margins, this focus on preparedness is both welcome and necessary.

Jamaica’s vulnerability to earthquakes is not theoretical. The island sits astride a complex system of active fault lines along the boundary of the Caribbean and North American tectonic plates. History bears sober witness to this reality, from the devastating 1692 earthquake that destroyed much of Port Royal to more recent tremors that have reminded us how suddenly the ground beneath our feet can shift.

Earthquakes are not a matter of “if” but “when”, and preparedness can make the difference between resilience and catastrophe. In this context, the work being done by ODPEM and the Earthquake Unit to raise awareness about earthquake risks, safe practices, and emergency response deserves applause, especially since the Earthquake Unit reported that more than 400 earthquakes were recorded in and around Jamaica in 2025.

Public service announcements, school outreach, media engagement, and clear guidance on what to do before, during, and after an earthquake all contribute to a better-informed citizenry. These initiatives help demystify earthquakes and replace fear with knowledge — an essential step in building national resilience.

However, we can’t emphasise enough that, while Earthquake Awareness Week provides a valuable focal point, it must not be the only time Jamaicans are encouraged to think seriously about seismic risk. Natural hazards do not operate on a calendar, and preparedness cannot be confined to a single week of heightened attention. Awareness, training, and reinforcement must be ongoing, embedded into everyday life, schools, workplaces, and community planning.

A year-round earthquake awareness programme, we hold, would help normalise preparedness as a civic responsibility rather than a temporary campaign.

Moreover, continuous awareness would support a broader culture of disaster readiness that extends beyond earthquakes to other hazards Jamaica faces, including hurricanes, floods, and landslides.

The efforts of ODPEM and the Earthquake Unit are a strong foundation on which to build. They reinforce the message that preparedness is not an event; it is a habit that can save countless lives.