OECD Reviews of Risk Management Policies: Italy 2010
Review of the Italian National Civil Protection System
Recent years have seen a steep increase in the frequency and economic impacts of disasters, and Italy has been no exception. In addition to increased seasonal variance linked to climate change, the devastating earthquakes around L’Aquilla in 2009 make Italy a case study for policy-makers, emergency management practitioners, academics and international organisations who are searching for solutions, notably in the areas of disaster damage reduction policies. The Italian civil protection system offers a rich source of best practices for their consideration. The National Department of Civil Protection in particular, as the hub of the National Civil Protection Service, provides a model of professionalism and leadership. The review report also identifies many challenges facing the Italian civil protection system and areas where improvements are still needed.
- Click to access:
-
Click to download PDF - 3.07MBPDF
Post-event issues, emergency overcoming
The frequency and high magnitude of damages from natural disasters in Italy create specific challenges for recovery and reconstruction in addition to the loss of human life, damages to buildings, equipment and inventory resulting from the initial event itself. Considerable indirect costs may arise, mainly through two channels: the disruption of supply in goods and services, particularly in vital systems such as health and energy; and negative reactions from the public. Special efforts must therefore be made in support of rapid reconstruction and to help economic activity resume. At the same time a disaster is a window of opportunity to foster public dialogue on the adoption of policies that can reinforce the prevention of damages from future events.
- Click to access:
-
Click to download PDF - 361.11KBPDF