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Italy

Italy: Earthquake - Information Bulletin n° 2

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The situation

On 30 October 2016, a 6.5 magnitude earthquake struck the regions of Umbria and Marche in central Italy. The quake hit at 7:40 local time (6:40 GMT), at a depth of 10 kilometres. The epicentre was about 70 kilometres southwest of Perugia and northwest of the town of Norcia.

The Italian Civil Protection has been sending teams to assess the damage and needs, and is involved in search and rescue operations.

The earthquake caused buildings to collapse, and resulted in serious damage to infrastructure, especially to roads in the affected area. At least 20 people have been hurt but no deaths have been reported so far. The quake hit some areas already evacuated following earlier tremors, but the damage to buildings is considered to be extensive.

Red Cross and Red Crescent action

The Italian Red Cross activated its Emergency Operation Centre and has been coordinating and working closely with the Italian Civil Protection to assess damage and provide support to the affected population as required. The Red Cross teams have also been involved in search and rescue operations, as well as providing First Aid to those in need.

The National Society is present in the areas affected by the earthquake as well as in the reception centres set up on the Adriatic coast. The Italian Red Cross has been assisting 22,272 people, including 6,681 people accommodated temporarily in the coastal reception centres. The majority of the people assisted are from the Marche region.

A total of 352 Italian Red Cross staff and volunteers are involved in the relief activities. Currently, 40 vehicles (ambulances, heavy trucks and other specialized vehicles) are deployed in the affected areas. The Italian Red Cross has set up four mobile kitchens and is able to provide more than 4,000 meals per day to the affected population.

The Italian Red Cross is providing health and care-related services and specialized teams are providing psychosocial support to those left traumatized. The National Society is also organizing social activities with children and has set up a dedicated play area for them in San Severino. In addition to the above, the Italian Red Cross deployed a mobile pharmacy and to Camerino. Volunteers working in Camerino were visited by the country’s President Sergio Mattarella on 2 November 2016.
All actions and activities of the Italian Red Cross are coordinated with the Italian Civil Protection Command and Control Unit (DICOMAC) based in Rieti.

The IFRC Regional Office for Europe is in permanent contact with the Italian Red Cross to provide any necessary support to the ongoing emergency response activities.