Secretariat for the international Strategy for Disaster Reduction Global Report on Disaster Reduction Questionnaire Please use additional sheets if you need more space to adequately respond to this questionnaire. An electronic version can be provided upon request to the address mentioned on page 5. Have any major disasters occurred in your country during the past 5 years? If so, please describe briefly the natural hazard (i.e. earthquakes; volcanic activity; landslides; tsunamis; tropical cyclones and other severe storms; tornadoes and high winds; river floods and coastal flooding; wildfires and associated haze; drought; sand/dust storm; infestations), which triggered the disaster and the impact of this disaster in terms of loss of human lives and economic assets. Type of Natural Hazard of the Disaster DateHuman Lives LossAssets estimated -~- of Occurrence of in -______ - Loss of ~-.. - - E~onomic ..- uss Earthquake 9/07/98 - 5,8 10 68 million Azores - Horta Island Richter US$ Forest Fires 7-8/1998 NIL 91 million US$ River Floods 6/11/97 3 159 000 US$ River Floods! Landslides Nov.00 to Mar. 22 Not known 01 yet Bridge Collapse Entre-os-Rios 4/03/2001 59Not known yet Comments: 2. Has any of the above mentioned disasters been subject to a “lesson learned” exercise by the relevant authorities of your country/region with a view to avoiding or limiting the impact of future disasters? Yes No LIX LI 1 Secretariat for the international Strategy for Disaster Reduction Regarding forest fires every year after the season there is always an evaluation of the fires that occurred. The participants of this evaluation are: National Fire Service and the Forest Authority. On the past 7th of June there was a seminar to evaluate and discuss the search operations after the collapse of the bridge in Entre-os-Rios with all the entities that took part. 3 Is there a specific national policy in your country with regard to disaster reduction with special reference to the following issues7 a) Increasing public awareness of the importance of disaster reduction No policy In progress Implemented Lix Li b) Obtaining commitment from public authorities at all levels (national and local) No policy In progress Implemented Li Lix c) Stimulating interdisciplinary and inter-sectoral partnerships (i.e. among governmental bodies, research and scientific institutions, NO Os, the media and the pnvate sector, including insurance companies) No policy In progress Implemented Lix Lix d) Expanding risk reduction networking at all levels (eg conferences. websites) No policy In progress Implemented Lix e) Improving scientific knowledge of natural hazards No policy In progress Li Lix Implemented Lix f) Applying science and technology (i.e. for the development of early warning systems and/or other means of improving disaster reduction) No policy In progress Implemented Li Lix g) Coordinating disaster reduction activities at national level No policy In progress Implemented Lix If your reply is “IN progress” or “Implemented” for any of the above mentioned issues, please provide 2 If yes, please describe the nature of this exercise and provide any documentation you consider appropriate Comments: In attachment we are sending you the explanation to each of the answers given and a text that explains how the civil protection system of Portugal is organized. 4. Has an assessment been carried out at national level to evaluate the success of the measures mentioned under question 3? Yes Li No Lix If yes, please provide a copy of report(s) you consider appropriate Comments: The National Service for Civil Protection has a Department of Inspection that should evaluate civil protection operations but that does not have authority to the municipal operations. 5. Have local communities been active in disaster reduction? Yes X Li No Li If yes, please provide documentation on organizational arrangements in place at the local level for the promotion of disaster reduction Comments: 5. Has the government engaged in risk mapping (based on the identification of potential hazards and vulnerable conditions) with a view to facilitating effective land use planning and risk reduction measures? Yes X Li No Li If yes, please provide any documentation you consider appropriate Comments: Theoretically yes, at least for floods, draughts, and seismic risk. 3 documentation on the nature of such poilcy and the methods used for its implementation by authority 7. Are there building codes and other regulations in existence to ensure disaster resistant construction in 3 documentation on the nature of such poilcy and the methods used for its implementation by authority YesX No Li Li If yes, please provide information/documentation you consider appropnate, including a description of the institution(s) responsible for ensuring the application the these codes Comments We have several codes which are updated once in a while for buildings, dams and all types of new constructions. No legislation applies to buildings existent prior to 1961, date of the first code regarding specifically to the seismic risk in construction. The Water Institute controls the construction of the dams. The building codes are controlled by the Municipalities which has to approve the construction plan. 8. Has the government adopted any measures for the enforcement of building codes and land use planning with regard to disaster reduction7 YesX No Li Li If yes, please provide a copy of the relevant legal instruments or any other documentation you consider useful to share Comments: Each Municipality has to approve its Municipal Master Plan that should be crossed with the Municipal Emergency Plan where the assessment of the existent risk are done, thus saying in which areas there can be construction, taking into consideration flood areas and seismic- proof constructions. The Ministry of Equipment controls the state construction like bridges and roads. 9. Has any overall legislation relating to disaster reduction been adopted? YesX No Li Li If yes, please provide a copy of the relevant legal instruments Comments: For construction yes, in the terms mentioned above. For dams there is a Security Ruling that obliges them to map the risk of flooding, have an emergency plan among other things. 4 your country7 10 Given your experience of disaster reduction in your country, please provide comments as to what you believe are the most important issues to be addressed in the future. We should be prepared for disaster and thus develop adequate intervention policies on various subjects such as: a) Study of seismic impact and other risks on communities and its social-economic characterization; b) The definition of safety policies; c) To find a strategy to strengthen the structure of buildings; d) The defense of the existent patrimony; e) Definition of a national policy for land use; f) Better elaborated emergency planning; g) More information and education to the public regarding risks and a culture of civil protection; h) Improvement of risk mapping and i) Fiscalization of the compliance with the existent codes. 11. Please add any general comments you may wish to make regarding any aspect of disaster reduction activities in your country not covered by this questionnaire. S your country7 SERVI~O NACIONAL LW PROTEC~AO CIVIL THE CIVIL PROTECTION SERVICES IN PORTUGAL GENERAL ASSIGNMENT To prevent natural or man-made hazards related to major accidents, disaster or calamity, to mitigate losses and damages upon population, material resources and environment, and to relieve population every time emergency situations strike. RELIEF ORGANIZATION The civil protection system integrates the National Service for Civil Protection (SNPC), the Regional Services for Civil Protection (SRPC), and the Municipal Services for Civil Protection (SMPC). Delegations of the SNPC are based on each of the 18 districts that are part of the Portuguese administrative organisation. The Prime-Minister is responsible for directing the civil protection policy and emergency response in case of disaster at national level. He may delegate his responsibilities to the Minister of Interior. At regional level, responsibility belongs to the Presidents of the Government of Açores and Madeira Autonomous Regions, and to the Governors of District in the mainland. At local level, responsibility belongs to the mayors. The National Emergency Operations Centre (CNOEPC) is activated by the SNPC soon after a major disaster cannot be solved either by the means assigned to the Municipality or the District where it takes place, for co-ordination and control of the relief operations and logistics support at national level. A National Disaster Emergency Relief Response Office works out 24 hours a day in the SNPC to control and manage the current situation. At regional and local levels, Emergency Operations Centres in Districts (CDOEPC) and Municipalities (CMOEPC) are activated every time a major accident or disaster takes place in their respective administrative areas. EMERGENCY PLANNING Emergency plans are prepared at all levels (national, regional and local) under the responsibility of SNPC, SRPC and SMPC, in accordance with the guidelines S -MINISTERIO DA ADMTNISTRAcAO INTERNA 42, SERVI~O NAC1ONAL 1W PROTEC~AO CIVIL provided by the National Commission for Civil Protection (intergovernmental technical body for co-ordination of civil protection activities), thus, they are classified: according to the territorial levels they cover as national, regional, district and municipal; according to the risks they tackle with, as general (all risks), and specific (one risk). National and regional plans are approved, respectively, by the Portuguese Government Cabinet and by the Governments of Autonomous Regions. District and municipal plans are approved by the National Commission for Civil Protection. TRAINING OF CIVIL PROTECTION AGENTS The SNPC is responsible for development of plans and policies, co-ordination and control of emergency response. Thus, there are no organic disaster response units nor schools for civil protection in its organisation. The training of civil protection agents lies down under their command/directions that have schools and training centres for such a purpose and are financed by their own budgets. However, the SNPC is responsible for a systematic public awareness, information and education campaign, through the dissemination of security and self-protective measures to be adopted by the population in case of na emergency situation, paid by its own financial assets. CIVIL PROTECTION AGENTS The main civil protection agents are the National Fire Service (SNB), the security forces (Police and National Guards), the Armed Forces, the Maritime and Aeronautics Authorities, and the National Institute for Medical Emergency (INEM). The leagues of volunteer firemen, health services, social institutions, NGO’s and other volunteer organisations, public services responsible for forest and natural reserves, industry and energy, transports, communications, water resources and environment, security and relief services belonging to private and public companies, seaports and airports, have the duty to co-operate with civil protection agents already mentioned. Several scientific and technological institutions and organisations are particularly assigned for co-operation with S -MINISTERIO DA ADMINIsTRAA0 INTERNA a M[NISTERIO DA ADM1NISTRAçAO INTERNA SERVI~O NACIONAL BE PR0TECçA0 CIVIL SNPC and are important contributors into the civil protection system, namely those related to meteo and geophysics, engineering, industrial technology, forestry, nuclear protection and natural resources. S -MINISTERIO DA ADMINIsTRAA0 INTERNA 3. a) In progress Not precisely a specific national policy, but education/information actions are being developed in order to provide population with self-protection measures that usually contain some information on risk reduction. They are not organized in a specific policy, and therefore they are not developed at the same extent all over the country, but work is being done, and the National Service for Civil Protection has this concern in mind. Schools also include in their curriculums subjects concerned with civil protection and risks, that are in some way related with risk reduction. This measure is maybe the most organized one in what concerns people awareness and risk reduction, at national level. b) In progress Commitment at national and district (regional) level. At local (municipal) level there are still many discrepancies. c) No policy / In progress For dam break emergency management these aspects and simulations are predicted, but not yet implemented, and with no expression at general level in what concerns natural risks. It also happened in an earthquake exercise, but events were to scarce to be considered a policy. d) In progress I Implemented Website: YES Conferences: YES One could say that the idea is on our mind but not fully accomplished at national level. S A1TACHMENT TO QUESTION N 3 The Study of seismic risk for the metropolitan area of Lisbon and surrounding municipalIties is an example of a case study. A similar study that is going to be implemented for the Algarve (south of Portugal) this year is another case. Not all risks are being equally studied and analyzed at the same time with the same depth due to scarcity of human and financial resources, but the policy exists. f) In progress / Implemented Implemented: Civil Protection Situation Centers Water resources surveillance and alert system for floods and droughts Weather forecast Seismic surveillance, etc. In all these areas scientifical and technological knowledge is applied for the development of software that can help prevent disaster and provide real-time surveillance to provide on-time warnings. In progress: dam break No policy: land slides g)Implemented e)Implemented Miniflgrio da ActnhiuistracAo Intern Scrvico Nacinnal de Bombeirol e Prntcccio Civil REPORT AND INFORMATION ON DISASTER REDUCTION FOR THE WORLD CONFERENCE ON DISASTER REDUCTION 1 - POUT1CAL COMMITMENT AND INSTITUTiONAL ASPECTS LI — Are there national policy, strategy and legislation addressing disaster Ask reduction? ‘(es. Portugal has made a large effort in order to create legislation addressing disaster risk. For example. municipailties are obliged to identify flood risk areas and to use that information in their Municipai Lariduse Plans: there are laws concerning prevention measures to control fire ignitions (e.g., it is forbidden to use fire for soil renewal during summer); there is a natonai strategy tar climate changes which could lead In prevention of extreme events, such as floods, forest fires or heatwaves; there are roles concerning major industrial accidents and transportation of dangerous goods. 1.2 — Is there a national body for muiti-sactorial coordination and collaboration In disaster risk reduction -. .7 There is a National Centre for Operations on Civil ProtectIon Emergencies, which is responsible for coordination of response to extreme emergencies. This Centre aggregates collaboration from organizations beionging to the Ministries of Interiour, Environment, Health, Agriculture. Defense. However, this Centre only deals with emergency management issues (prevention and risk reduction strategies are not in the scope of action). 1.3— Are there seetorial plans or initiatives that incorporate Fisk reduction concepas.. .7 Yes. it is being drawn the National Plan for Land Management Policies, where the National Service for Fire and Civil Protection is been asked for cont’ibutions. In the past Civil Protection was also invoived on the National Water Plan, in issues concerning flood and drought risk reduction. 1.4 — is disaster risk reduction incorporated into your national plan for the Implementation ot..? N/A 1-S — Does your county hawe building codes of practice for seismic rLsk? Portugai has several codes. wt’iicfl are updated once in while for buildings, darns and all types of new construthons. No legislation applies to buildings existent prior to 1961. date of the first code regarding specifically to seismic risk in construction. 1.6- Do you have an annual budget for disaster risk reduction? Not specifically. Budget is spread through several organizations connected with those issues, such as the National Service for Fire and Clvii Protection, Water Institute, National Laboratory for Civil Engineering Environment lnstitjlr, General-Directorate for Forests, etc. Additional budget can be obbined through national. EU and international projects. 1.7 — Are the private sector, civil society, NGOs and media participating in disaster risk reduction effort? There are several initiatives involving other organizations. For instance, surveillance in forest areas (prevention of forest fire risk) or cooperation with private sector for dam-break risk management Additionally, universities and other scientific organizations cooperate with Clvii Protection in risk evaluation (seismic risk, fire risk, technological acoidertts risk. etc.) 1i’3 a-enS t rn en Cama$ds %794-1 12 C~MAZCC - TolSee Z14Z4fl00- Was ztc4nao__ .. ~ e)Implemented s.et Ministthric da Administrac~o tntcrna Scrviço !4acional de Sumbeiros e Proteccin Civil 2— RISK iDENTIFiCATION 2.1 .‘ Has your country carried out hazard mapping/assessment? Yes, for forest fires (fire probability), floods (flood-risk areas), seismic risk and technological hazards. In most of the cases, this includes historical data, such as impacts of past events, For hydrological risks (floods, darn-break, droughts) hydrodynamic computation models are used. For studies concerning technological accidents dispersion models are used. All data is available for Civil Protection and organizations connected with each risk (Water Institute, General-Directorate for Forests, Environment Institute. etc.). 2,2 — Does your county carried out vulnerability and capacity assessments? N/A 2.3— Does your country have any mechanisms for risk monitoring and risk mapping? Yes. Risk monitoring is available for meteorological risks (Met-Office), for floods (Water Institute) and for radiological emergencies (Environment Institute). Risk mapping is available for forest tire (Met-Office; General-Directorate for Forests), floods and darn-break (Water Institute). 2.4 — Is there a systematic socio-economic and environmental impact and loss analysis after each major disasters? No Only in specific disasters (example: economic damage after 2003 forest fires). 2.5— Are there early warning systems in place? There is stili no systematic early waning system. However, early warning actions are preformed in case of meteorological (heavy rains, strong wind, heatwaves, coldwaves, snow, etc.) and hydrological extreme events or facing radiological/nuclear emergencies. Public reaction to issued early warnings is variable. 3— KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT 3.1— Does your country have dLsaster risk infonnaton management systems’ In process. 3.2— Are the academic and research communities in the country lInked...? ‘Yes, for risk evaluation such as described in question 1.7. Academic and research community ~s involved due to cooperation agreements made with Civil Protection. 3.3— Are there educational programmes related to disaster nsk reduction...? Issues connected with risk reduction are being more focused on schools, mainly in ages from 7 to 14. At the moment is being developed educational material to support teachers. There are also leaflets for children with advices in case of disasters. 3.4 - Are there any training programmes available? Universities and private institutions have training programmes for civil protection agents, fire- fighters, municipalities staff, etc. There is also a National School for Fire-Fighters witti operational training. 3.5 - Wbat kind of traditional Indigenous knowledge Is used in disaster-related practices ? N/A s. .nki. do Pans e ~maSde - 2?94-Vi2 Ck*M*~l5~ - teaser. 214Z4flt0. 1aa 2142 tTl W- - . - 2fl e)Implemented ISDR- 2~R’2oo4 4. PERMANENT MISSION OF PORTUGAL GENEVA The Permanent Mission of Portugal presents its compliments to the Secretariat for the International Strategy for bisaster Reduction and, further to its letter dated January 25, 2004, has the honour to send herewith the Portuguese replies to the questionnaire on the progress made by Portugal and current status of disaster reduction Since the first World Conference on bisaster Reduction (Yokohama, 1994), in view of the preparation of the World Conference on bisaster Reduction, to be held in Kobe-Hyogo, Japan, in January 2005. The Permanent Mission of Portugal avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Secretariat for the Internati for bisaster Reduction the assurances of its highest consideratii .Secretariat for the International Strategy for bisaster Reduction Palois des Nations 1211. Geneva 10 s. .nki. do Pans e ~maSde - 2?94-Vi2 Ck*M*~l5~ - teaser. 214Z4flt0. 1aa 2142 tTl W- - . - 2fl