At around 07:00 on Monday morning I learned of the earthquake that struck Abruzzo. A friend who knows of my frequent visits sent me a text which began with “I don’t mean to alarm you…there was an earthquake in Italy…”. Sky News was showing footage and reporting on the tragic event. Over the course of the morning the true scale of the disaster became clear. The numbers kept changing. The size of the shockwaves, the numbers homeless and the numbers who lost their lives.
I was lucky enough to spend a weekend in L’Aquila last year. I thought it was beautiful city. I find it hard to look at the television coverage showing the city as it is now.
I tried to make contact with my friends in Abruzzo by initially phoning their land-lines. All numbers were engaged. It dawned on me that phone lines could be down. My initial anxiety did not last long as mobiles were working and I was soon able to have conversations and to learn that everyone I knew was well. They were all shaken, but were relieved to have got through the night.
I cannot imagine it. I think of numbers and try to understand it; 50,000 homeless reported initially, now reduced to 17,000, 26 people reported dead yesterday, now the figure is 170, at least 30 from one village of 250 people.
It will be days before a true picture of the full extent of the disaster will be known. But the numbers do not tell the whole story. L’Aquila and its surrounding area has been severely hit. Men, women, husbands, wives, fathers, mothers, sons and daughters have lost their lives. Many more have been injured and have lost their homes. I just cannot imagine it.
By this morning, Tuesday, I had been in touch with everyone I knew, either by phone or by email. I am relieved that nobody I know has been directly affected by the earthquake. But my heart goes out to those that have.
In all my visits to the region I have found that the Abruzzese live up to their motto of “Forte e Gentile”, Strong and Neighbourly. The events of Monday night will be a test of their resolve, but I hope with time and help, they will pull through.
If you wish to contribute to funds to help the victims of the earthquake I have found the following references:
A post from the blog Opera Chic gives details of a fund setup by two of Italy’s newspaers, Corriere della Sera and Gazzetta dello Sport, click here for the post
A post from the blog bleeding espresso gives details of the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) relief fund and also the Italian Red Cross (Croce Rossa Italiana), click here for the post.
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