European Journal | Italy: Earthquake Victims

The earthquake in Italy at the beginning of April killed almost 300 people and made 50.000 homeless. Italy's Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi promised speedy and unbureaucratic help. But many Italians view that promise with skepticism. In 1997 a tremor in Umbria left 20 000 people homeless and the government in Rome also pledged quick assistance. But many of those affected people are still waiting for compensation to this day. At the time a promise was also made to introduce building practices that were earthquake-resistant. But nothing has changed in the meantime.