Israelis Told To Prepare Themselves
For Earthquakes
By Julie Stahl
CNSNews.com Jerusalem Bureau Chief
November 08, 2002
Jerusalem (CNSNews.com) - Under a threat of possible missile attack
from Iraq, and two years into a war against Palestinian terrorism, Israelis
are being advised to prepare themselves for the possibility of earthquakes
in the near future.
The region sits on a major fault line and has been hit by earthquakes, including
severe ones, throughout the centuries. Experts say it is only a matter of
time before another big one hits here.
In an attempt to reach as many Israelis as possible, a special brochure prepared
by an inter-ministerial government committee on earthquake readiness is being
sent to citizens in their electric bills starting this week.
Chairman of the Earthquake Readiness Committee, Ya'acov Heichal, insisted
that the timing of the distribution of the brochure has nothing to do with
Iraq or any other crisis in the country.
The brochure has been in the planning for a year and was finished in July
said Heichal.
In July, the government asked the committee to postpone the distribution
of the brochure due to the security situation and many terrorist attacks.
In September, the government asked for another delay due to the Jewish
holidays.
When it appeared that there would be an endless number of reasons for delay,
Heichal said, he decided the time was now to send it out.
What if there is an earthquake in the next few weeks or months? Heichal asked.
People will say, "Why didn't you tell us what to do?" he said.
The brochure contains preparation instructions that are good for any disaster,
Heichal said, like the having a backpack ready at all times with items such
as copies of all important documents and bank papers, a week's supply of
necessary medications for the chronically ill, water and a transistor
radio.
It also tells people how to behave in case of an earthquake, such as where
to run or hide.
According to Rami Hofstetter, head of the seismological division of the
Geo-Physical Institute, the committee comprised of health, army, security,
construction and other professionals was formed to prepare Israel for the
possibility of an earthquake as a result of two strong events in August and
November1999 in Turkey.
On August 17, 1999, an earthquake centered near Izmit in northwestern Turkey
left more than 17,000 people dead and some 44,000 injured. Shoddy building
construction was blamed for many of those deaths.
Three months later on November 12, another quake in northwestern Turkey,
this time in Ducze and surrounding towns, killed more than 700.
"The whole idea is to make everybody aware that from time to time we suffer
from very strong earthquakes," Hofstetter said.
The committee is also working to implement other recommendations such as
improving building codes. An estimated 300,000 to 400,000 Israeli apartments
are not likely to be able to withstand a powerful earthquake.
Small tremors occur frequently in this part of the world. The last one felt
here was in 1995, Hofstetter said.
"We do expect a strong event in the near future [within the next 50 years
or more]," Hofstetter said. " We cannot stop them [so] we need to get ready.""