Models for the prevention and mitigation of damages to people and properties through an insurance coverage

A three-day work session, organised by the Centre for Integrated Geomorphology for the Integrated Area (CGIAM) for the definition and presentation of the project “Models for the prevention and mitigation of damages to people and properties through an insurance coverage in the event of catastrophic disasters” was held in Rome on 11-13 march 2014. CGIAM is project proponent and executor.

The work session was closed on 13^th March at the Hall of Columns of the House of Deputies with the presentation of the project proposal at the presence of national and international experts and the representatives of the main insurance companies.

The project, defined in cooperation with the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) and the Network of University Laboratories of Earthquake Engineering (ReLUIS), aims to promote the development of models for reducing the economic-financial exposure of the State in the event of catastrophic events such as earthquakes, floods and landslides, both through the development of innovative strategies of prevention and mitigation for the buildings (public and private) and infrastructures safety and by supporting the insurance companies in the definition of the insurance premium depending on the buildings vulnerability, typology and area.

The project assumption is that Italy is the one of the countries most exposed to natural disasters, including seismic and hydrogeological risks. Thus, it is necessary to define innovative solutions for reducing the  economic-financial exposure of the State, mainly in the post-event, and fostering prevention activities.

The insurance system does not directly affect the total costs. Nevertheless, the tax benefits and the reduction of insurance premium for those who intervene on the housing stock can be a stimulus to the mitigation activities, affecting the vulnerability and contributing to the risk reduction.

Finally, the diffusion over the community of the importance of periodic interventions of housing stock or improvement and/or adjustment against natural disasters, not only reduces the amount of any damages and therefore the loss of human lives but it is also a driving force for the national economy as these interventions need the interventions of a wide range of professionals, artisans, businesses, etc.

The project was introduced and explained by the CGIAM President, Dr. Rodolfo Console, Dr. Massimo Chiappini, Director of the INGV Rome 2 and Prof. Carlo Felice Ponzo, ReLUIS Representative.

Ralph von Frese of Ohio State University (USA), David Rhoades of GNS Science (New Zealand), Eleftheria Papadimitriou University of Thessaloniki (Greece), Jean-Sylvain Magagnosc University of Poitiers (France), Emil-Sever Georgescu URBAN-INCERC (Romania), Bogdan Grecu Bujor of the National Institute for Earth Physics (Romania), Luciano Guerriero of the Polytechnic of Bari (First  President of the Italian Space Agency) also participated as speakers.

The meeting was concluded by Prof. Stefano Gresta, INGV President, Dr. Maurizio Croce, Special Commissioner Delegate for the mitigation of hydrogeological risk in Apulia and Sicily Regions, Dr. Antonio Colangelo, Vice-President of CGIAM and finally Dr. , Head of the National Fire Service.

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The Minister of Education and the Head of Civil Protection were forced to suspend the tender notices for the seismic research to finance studies on earthquakes, issued within the framework agreement with the INGV (National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology).

http://www.ilsole24ore.com/art/notizie/2014-01-30/terremoti-protezione-civile-blocca-ricerca-sismica-sospetti-opacita-uso-fondi-192608.shtml?uuid=ABs7hQt

The meeting of the Working Group Basilicata, aimed to the launch of operational table for the development of the actions foreseen by the Protocol for Cooperation between the Basilicata Region and the Gorj Province, was held at the Verrastro Room of the Regional Committee in Potenza.

The will of the two institutions to cooperate for the development and growth of the respective territories has been officially sanctioned, after the signature of the Protocol in Targu Ju (Romania) on 6^th December 2012, during the meeting of the last 25^th November held in Basilicata in presence of the Great Officers of the two Governments.

The meeting was attended, as representatives of the Working Group Basilicata, by the President of the Technological District of Basilicata TeRN, Antonio Colangelo, the Rector of the University of Basilicata, Mauro Fiorentino, the General Director of the San Carlo Hospital, Giampiero Maruggi, the Director of CNR IMAA, Vincenzo Lapenna, the Responsible of Utagri-Enea, Massimo Iannetta, the Responsible of the Development Area of the Territory of Sviluppo Basilicata, Vittorio Simoncelli and the Director of the Centre of Integrated Geomorphology for the Mediterranean Area, Maria Lucia Trivigno as well as the President Marcello Pittella and the Assessor to Agriculture, Michele Ottati. (more…)

Portugal hosted, the 14^th October 2013, the VIII Conference “International Day for Disaster Reduction“, organized by the Municipality of Amadora, in collaboration with CERCIAMA – Cooperativa para a Educação e Reabilitação de Crianças Inadaptadas da Amadora.

“Living with Disability & Disasters” is the theme launched this year by the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction of the United Nations.

During the opening session, Carla Tavares, Vice President of Amadora City Council, pointed out the importance of the georeferencing work of old and disabled people, developed in the last three years in partnership with various institutions, as a strategic tool of intervention in this sector. (more…)

The European Commission is organizing an InfoDay for Societal Challenge 5: Climate Action, Environment, Resource Efficiency and Raw Materials.

The event organized by the Research & Innovation DG – Directorate Environment of the European Commission will be held on 12 November in Brussels.

The event aims to highlight the novelties of the 2014-2015 Work Programme and will provide guidance on the preparation and submission of proposals.

The event will take place at the Albert Borschette Conference Centre – Rue Froissart 36, and a brokerage event will take place in the afternoon.

Please note that this InfoDay covers only 2014 topics. A seperate InfoDay for 2015 topics will be organised at a later stage.

Places are limited and you must register as soon as possible at the following link: http://ec.europa.eu/yourvoice/ipm/forms/dispatch?form=H20SC5Info2014

The 32nd GNGTS Congress will be held in Trieste from 19th to 21st November 2013 at the Maritime Station (Bersaglieri quay).

The topics will include:

THEME 1 : GEODYNAMICS

Session 1.1 : Earthquakes and their faults

Convenor : P. Galli (Dept. of Civ Prot., Rome ), S. Solarino (INGV, Genoa)

Session 1.2: Dynamic and kinematic: active processes in Italian Area

Convenor : A. Argnani (C.N.R. , Bologna, Italy) , E. Serpe (INGV, Bologna)

Session 1.3: Volcanoes and geothermal fields

Convenor : E. Del Pezzo (INGV, Italy ), R. Petrini (University of Pisa) (more…)

Content coming soon!

Roma at the Convention Centre “Carte Geografiche” in Via Napoli, 36.

Link : http://comunicazione.ingv.it/it/9-segnalazioni/930-convegno-finale-dei-progetti-sismologici-2012-2013.html

Civil Protection Volunteers , institutions and the world of scientific research are together for the third year for the seismic risk prevention with ” Earthquake I don’t take risks“, the national communication campaign for the seismic risk reduction. The initiative is sponsored by the Department of Civil Protection and Anpas – National Association of Public Assistance, in collaboration with the INGV – National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology and RELUIS – Consortium of the Laboratories University Network of Seismic Engineering in agreement with interested regions and municipalities.

The objective of the campaign is to promote a prevention culture, form a more aware and skilled volunteer and start a process leading citizens to take a proactive role in the seismic risk reduction. During the two days, the volunteers will distribute informative and answer to the questions from citizens on possible actions to take for reducing the seismic risk.

Link: www.iononrischio.it

The preparatory work for the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (European Parliament): September / October 2013
Vote on the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) in the European Parliament plenary: September / October 2013
Vote on Horizon 2020 EP Plenary: October / November 2013
Adopted by the Council: November / December 2013
Adoption of the work program and the publication of the first calls for proposals: 11 December 2013
Horizon 2020 national launch events: October 2013 to January 2014

Link: http://ec.europa.eu/research/horizon2020/index_en.cfm?pg=h2020-timeline