The Knesset's Environment Committee discussed Israel's earthquake preparedness yesterday, with representatives of all the relevant government ministries invited to speak. The dry numbers tell of 1.17 million buildings in Israel, of which some 700,000 are residential. More than half of the latter are in danger of being damaged, or worse, in the event of a major earthquake.
The basic picture painted during the committee session was not a bright one, as the experts discussed lack of coordination between authorities, lack of funding, an uneducated public and other problems. However, some measures are being taken, including the buttressing in the coming months of some 100 installations whose collapse would cause a dangerous chain reaction, as well as educational actions.
Housing Minister Effie Eitam, who heads the ministerial committee dealing with earthquake preparations, has recommended that responsibility for dealing with a quake be transferred from the Israel Police to the IDF Homefront Command.
The basic picture painted during the committee session was not a bright one, as the experts discussed lack of coordination between authorities, lack of funding, an uneducated public and other problems. However, some measures are being taken, including the buttressing in the coming months of some 100 installations whose collapse would cause a dangerous chain reaction, as well as educational actions.
Housing Minister Effie Eitam, who heads the ministerial committee dealing with earthquake preparations, has recommended that responsibility for dealing with a quake be transferred from the Israel Police to the IDF Homefront Command.