On 11 December 2024, Cristina Portalés and Álvaro Solbes, part of the ChemiNova project team, attended the launch of READY: Safeguarding Cultural Heritage from Disasters, Extreme Weather Events, and Complex Emergencies. This ICCROM-led initiative, supported by the EU’s Creative Europe Programme, is dedicated to enhancing the resilience of Europe’s cultural heritage amidst growing climate and disaster challenges.
The launch event brought together experts, policymakers, and community leaders to explore strategies for:
– Strengthening resilience for cultural heritage;
– Taking proactive measures to mitigate risks;
– Incorporating local and Indigenous knowledge into risk management;
– Building cross-sector partnerships for coordinated disaster response.
The recent severe flooding in Valencia serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities cultural heritage faces in the wake of extreme weather events. READY’s focus on integrating disaster risk management and cultural heritage protection ensures that communities can prepare for and respond to such events more effectively.
By fostering collaborative training and field action, READY aims to create a network of trained risk managers and cultural first-aiders across Europe. This will ensure cultural heritage is safeguarded before, during, and after disasters, while contributing to climate resilience and sustainable recovery strategies.
