Após a catástrofe: a gestão da emergência e socorro no terramoto de 1755

Abstract

No terramoto de 1755, Lisboa ficou entregue ao seu fado, pois nunca tinha sido acautelado, tudo o que uma calamidade do desta natureza podia causar. O Estado assumiu de forma singular, a responsabilidade da gestão da emergência e socorro. O cuidado em criar uma cidade mais segura, foi precedida da preocupação em salvar os vivos e enterrar os que já tinham falecido. Pretende-se, através de uma abordagem sistemática, por meio de recolha e avaliação crítica da documentação, dar a conhecer o socorro efetuado às vítimas do terramoto.

In the earthquake of 1755, Lisbon was left to its faith, since no measures were ever cautioned for a disaster of this nature. The state assumed, in a unique way, the responsibility for managing the emergency and rescue. The need to create a safer city was preceded by the concern to save the living and bury the deceased. Using a systematic approach and critical evaluation of the available documentation, this paper aims to ac‑ knowledge the aid made to the victims of the earthquake. Analysing the contemporary documents, we conclude that the leaders of the time developed and imple‑ mented an emergency plan that, at various points, is similar to what exists today. Thus, we intend to demonstrate that the emergency response to the disaster was organized in a modern and rational way, but it is not clear how hierarchical as it would be expected today. The earthquake destruction was handled with the science and technology available at the time, with immediate steps taken to ensure the health, safety and property of citizens.