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49% of Portuguese people feel vulnerable to forest fires

by AI | 01.Oct 2024 | Europe in brief AI

49% of the Portuguese respondents feel particularly vulnerable to fires, above the European Union average (16%), and 40% are concerned about disasters caused by extreme weather events (EU 38%)

A firefighter tries to extinguish a wildfire after a fire broke out in low vegetation. Photo: Aristidis Vafeiadakis/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

BRUSSELS – Nearly half of the Portuguese (49%) feel particularly vulnerable to fires, above the European Union average (16%), according to a Eurobarometer released today in Brussels, on awareness and preparedness of the European Union (EU) population for disaster risks.
In Portugal (49%) and Cyprus (47%), respondents feel more exposed to forest fires, while in a majority of 17 Member States – from Greece (61%) to Lithuania (29%) – the most selected item was extreme weather phenomena, such as drought and heat or cold waves.
The risk of extreme weather phenomena was identified by 40% of respondents in Portugal (EU 38%), 30% opted for floods (EU 26%) and 29% for public health emergencies (EU 27%) are also among the most identified by respondents in Portugal regarding personal vulnerability to disaster risks.
National media are the main source of information for the majority of Portuguese people (59%), above the EU average of 49%, followed by emergency services (PT 48%, EU 33%), family and friends (tied with 31%) and social networks (PT 25% EU 29%).
Almost three in four (74%) Portuguese respondents also reported trusting information provided by public authorities and emergency services (EU 70%), but a majority of 52% (EU 39%) said they had difficulty finding it.
In terms of prevention, 50% of Portuguese people have a flashlight or candles (EU 47%), 39% have organized an emergency pharmacy (EU 36%), 26% have a water reserve for cooking and hygiene (EU 20%), 14% stock up on food and drinks (EU 29%) and 12% have a battery-powered radio (EU 20%).
In the event of a natural disaster, 92% of respondents in Portugal (EU 85%) say they fully trust the capabilities of national emergency services (firefighters, police, civil protection, health services). (30/09/24)