According to the numbers released by Israel’s National Emergency Authority (NEA), ‘Rachel’ (רשות חירום לאומי), if Israel were to be hit with a major earthquake, up to 7,000 people would be killed, over 8,500 injured, and an estimated 170,000 left homeless. In addition, 9,500 people would be trapped under rubble.

In the warning released on Wednesday, 1 Cheshvan NEA Director Betzalel Treiber announced the troublesome numbers in an effort to awaken decision-makers to the foot-dragging that continue to plague earthquake preparedness efforts. Working with the treasury, the IEA estimates that the cost of a major earthquake we exceed NIS 150 billion to NIS 200 billion.

Back in 2010, the cabinet decided to invest NIS 140 million annually towards fortifying buildings to withstand an earthquake but the program only lasted for three years as the treasury eliminated it in 2013. The IDF’s Homefront Command an other agencies have also warned of the need for increased earthquake preparedness.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)