‘Civil Resilience Network a must in case of earthquake’

A “national readiness week” to be introduced to strengthen society, business sector.

By YAAKOV LAPPIN
Earthquake GEN 224.88 (photo credit: )
Earthquake GEN 224.88
(photo credit: )
A Civil Resilience Network is needed if Israel is to effectively deal with an earthquake and other disasters, the Reut strategic planning institute warned last week. 
“During a national crisis like an earthquake, a gap between the needs and expectations of the population and the ability of the home front authorities, regional councils and government ministries to cope could be created,” Reut said in a statement. 
The institute added that civil society and the business sector had to be strengthened, adding that in addition to the Turning Point 4 national war drill to be held this month, a “national readiness week” should be introduced to meet that goal. 
Representatives of Reut presented their findings last week to the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.
The threat of an earthquake has long troubled emergency planning officials.
“If, in the scenario, 80,000 people are injured in an earthquake, we must see how Israel can assist 80,000 people,” National Emergency Authority Head Ze’ev Tzuk-Ram said in January during a Knesset session held to examine the dangers posed by earthquakes. 
Burial Society Chairman Yehuda Meshi-Zahav said during the same meeting, “Today, we are able to deal with 150 bodies a day Who will deal with 16,000 casualties?”