Italian earthquake - history repeats itself

The tragic earthquake that hit the Abruzzo region in central Italy is nothing new unfortunately. Italy is a seismic territory and earthquakes are a regular occurrence. Within the last 40 years or so, Italy experienced on average one major earthquake every ten years. In view of this dangerous predisposition, you would think that new buildings in L’Aquila (the main town affected by last week’s quake) were built using anti-seismic techniques, right? Nope. Have a look at the recently opened hospital. I hear that it’s been extensively damaged. A hospital should be one of the safest places in town – the whole thing would be laughable if it didn’t make me so angry.

As Italians have a penchant for not learning from past mistakes in similarly tragic circumstances, you don’t have to be Nostradamus to predict that once all the 300 poor victims have been buried and the 40,000 people who lost their homes have been re-housed in some temporary accommodation, the problems of the local population will be swept under the carpet.

All those promises of quick reconstruction and redevelopment of the affected area will be just that – promises and nothing else. I believe that some survivors of the 1968 earthquake in the Belice valley in Sicily still live in temporary accommodation, 41 years later. That doesn’t bode well for the hopes of people in L’Aquila, does it?

Far too much money – taxpayers money just to be clear – will be wasted. A lethal mix of corruption, incompetence and inefficiency will lead to many unfinished buildings and roads. Hospitals will still be built using beach sand, rather than earthquake-resistant materials and techniques.

Central government politicians will visit Abruzzo only in the run-up to an election, promising to quickly solve the problems caused by the earthquake. In the last week they have been rushing to be in front of the cameras as soon as they step off their helicopters. Silvio Berluscummy & Co. were all there yesterday for the victims’ funerals... but where will they be in 2-3 months’ time? And that goes for locally elected MPs as well. They already got the votes that they needed, why should they waste their precious time in the constituencies that made them MPs in the first place?

The Pope will also visit Abruzzo of course and undoubtedly he will pray for this God-forsaken land. Ok, strictly speaking he may not actually use the words ‘God-forsaken’ as it might upset the Big Boss up there... but you get the gist. Anyway, lots and lots of prayers from the Holy One... and very little money. Very, very little if we consider the absurd wealth of the Vatican State. As usual, expect lots of coverage in the Italian media about this mind-boggling absurdity (NOT).

I don’t have a crystal ball and I am not the next Nostradamus, however it’s become relatively easy to predict the aftermath of catastrophes like these. The established, shameful record is there for everyone to see. If you have become cynical like me, you just know that Italian history most certainly repeats itself.