Knowing how to prepare for an earthquake and what to do during and after is the main goal of ‘A Terra Treme’
Portugal is gearing up for the 12th edition of ‘A Terra Treme’ (The Earth Shakes), the country’s annual nationwide earthquake awareness exercise.
Scheduled for Tuesday, November 5 at 11.05am, the event will coincide with World Tsunami Awareness Day, underscoring its importance in educating the public on earthquake preparedness and response.
The goal of ‘A Terra Treme’ is to pass on essential knowledge to the population on what to do before, during, and after an earthquake. Participants practice the ‘Drop, Cover, Hold On’ technique, a critical string of movements designed to increase survival chances in the event of an earthquake. During the exercise, which lasts one minute, participants will collectively perform these three self-protection moves.
“Many parts of the globe are prone to earthquakes and Portugal is a territory with areas which are particularly at risk. We can be anywhere when an earthquake starts, but are we prepared to face a situation like this and recover quickly from it?”, ANEPC asks on the initiative’s website.
Beyond student involvement, Portugal’s National Civil Protection and Emergency Authority (ANEPC) aims to expand participation across various segments of society each year. “This exercise is an act of citizenship, a civic commitment that demands active commitment from everyone in the pursuit of our own safety and the safety of those around us,” says the Algarve command of ANEPC in a statement to the press.
To participate, individuals and organisations can register online on the initiative’s website. ANEPC also advises the population to review emergency protocols, or even conduct their own evacuation drills. Other suggestions include holding informational sessions on preventive measures and helping promote the initiative on digital platforms through posters, banners, or email signatures, in a bid to boost community awareness.
Safe Communities Portugal has compiled a list of recommendations from ANEPC in English, providing comprehensive information about what you can do to prepare for an earthquake and know what you should do during and after.
