news24 gennaio 2025

In memory of Zamberletti - A day of study on risk reduction

Participants included representatives from the UN and the European Commission

La riduzione del rischio da disastri come strumento di crescita e cooperazione

Six years after Giuseppe Zamberletti's disappearance, a day of reflection was held today at the Civil Protection Department, focusing on Disaster Risk Reduction from a European and international perspective.

The Minister for Civil Protection and Sea Policies, Nello Musumeci,  opened the meeting by recalling the significant role that Zamberletti played in establishing a modern civil protection system. A system that involves the collaboration of state administrations, the scientific community, the private sector, and civil society, and it focuses not only on rescue operations but also on risk prevention and forecasting. It is precisely on structural and non-structural prevention that, according to the Minister, it is necessary to focus in Italy and Europe, promoting a program of activities that includes awareness campaigns targeted at young people.

Fabio Ciciliano, the Head of Department, emphasized the importance of prioritizing prevention and highlighted the necessity of bridging the gap between governance and the effects of policies on the territory.
Ciciliano stated, "Each country has its own risk exposure, operational mechanisms, and governance structures. However, it is essential to share the experiences of all countries" while respecting their unique characteristics. According to the Head of Department, strengthening relationships at the international level is also essential to support the less prepared areas.

The Undersecretary of State, Alfredo Mantovano, joined the institutional greetings, recalling how our Civil Protection System has become an international point of reference, as evidenced by the numerous requests for assistance and study from other countries.

On this issue, the European Commissioner for Preparedness, Crisis Management and Equality, Hadja Lahbib, cited some data: since 2016, Italy has responded to 63 emergencies worldwide and has requested assistance from the Union Civil Protection Mechanism 12 times. In response to the increasingly complex risks that threaten our societies, the European Commission is developing a very ambitious strategy. As Zamberletti anticipated, this strategy will involve the participation of all civil society, particularly volunteers and various institutions. It will also pay special attention to the specific needs of the most vulnerable individuals.

Kamal Kishore, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction, took inspiration from his recent visit to Naples to list what, for him, are three key elements of Zamberletti's legacy: the importance of multidisciplinary approaches in risk management, the invaluable contributions of experienced volunteers, and the necessity of implementing communication activities that effectively address the needs of different target groups.

During the event, Commissioner Lahbib presented the final report of the Peer Review Program to the Italian Government. This report evaluated the strengths and weaknesses of Italy's wildfire risk management system. In the afternoon, a workshop for experts was held to discuss these findings.

During the meeting, two roundtable discussions were held: "Whole of Government and Whole of Society: The Governance of Disaster Risk Reduction and Its Possible Socio-Economic Benefits" and "New Challenges and Possible Solutions: The Italian Approach and International Cooperation." Institutional experts participated in these discussions, sharing their insights on national and international experiences in risk reduction governance and addressing global challenges.