Topic: Long-Term Rebuilding Strategy Following Natural Disaster
Country: Portugal
Delegate Name: Magda Hlavacek
School: Saginaw Arts and Sciences Academy
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Portugal position papers GLIMUN 2011 committees
The country of Portugal has had much experience with natural disasters due to its location. Portugal is located near the Azores-Gibraltar Transform Fault, so seismic activity is a concern in Portugal. One such earthquake, the Lisbon earthquake of 1755, caused the death of 15,000 people and destroyed 17,00 homes. However, due to reconstruction efforts, Lisbon was completely rebuilt, and was actually improved. Architects designed earthquake-resistant buildings, wider streets, and a sewage system.
Portugal believes that during the process of reconstruction after natural disasters, nations can not only recover what was lost, but also make improvements to what already existed before the disaster. It should also be noted that natural disasters that occurred once will probably occur again, and reconstruction can be used as an opportunity to build a nation more resistant to the natural disaster.
Due to past reconstruction efforts, many of the buildings in Portugal are designed to withstand earthquakes. However, there is definitely a chance that Portugal might require assistance in the future due to its location near the Azores-Gibraltar Transform Fault.
The nation of Portugal would like to assist other countries in their reconstructive efforts. It is important that the victims of natural disasters are properly cared for and that measures are taken to lessen the risk of such disasters having such a profound impact in the future. Portugal would definitely like to contribute, if requested, to international relief efforts.
If a country that facing reconstruction is willing to accept aid, then a session should be held to gather funds from countries willing to contribute and ideas for the reconstruction process.
