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Training program prepares 100,000 people to face heat and wildfires
By 2029, a program by the Red Cross and Z Zurich Foundation will train 100,000 people in Lisbon and Braga to deal with extreme weather events.
The Portuguese Red Cross, in partnership with the Z Zurich Foundation, has launched an education and awareness program aimed at preparing over 100,000 people to face heatwaves and wildfires by 2029. This announcement was made during a conference held on Monday, where the project's details were discussed.
In 2022, Portugal recorded 2,200 deaths attributed to heat conditions, according to official data. Additionally, since 1980, the country has accumulated climate damage totaling around 13.4 billion euros, reflecting the urgent need for mitigation strategies.
The program will include training actions and practical simulations to equip participants with knowledge and skills that could be useful in emergency situations related to extreme weather phenomena.
The areas of Lisbon and Braga have been chosen as priority zones for the implementation of the program, given the history of wildfires and heatwaves that affect these regions. The initiative aims to provide communities with tools to respond effectively to these challenges.
The Red Cross and the Z Zurich Foundation are committed to reducing the impact of climate change and hope that this training will help save lives and minimize damage caused by adverse weather events.