The island hosts an international conference with experts from the Canary Islands, Azores, Madeira and Cape Verde to strengthen resilience and human care in natural emergencies
The first vice president, Adasat Reyes, highlights that "the management of a volcanic crisis cannot be limited to the technical response; it is essential to address the emotional dimension"
The first vice president of the Cabildo of La Gomera, Adasat Reyes, participated today in the inauguration of the international conference 'Emergency Psychology in the face of Volcanic Risk in Macaronesia', a high-level meeting that brings together specialists, researchers and institutional representatives from the Canary Islands, Azores, Madeira, Cape Verde and Portugal. The main objective of this forum is to share protocols and experiences to improve psychological intervention and social preparation in volcanically active territories.
The event, promoted in collaboration with the General Council of Psychology of Spain and the Official College of Psychology of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, in collaboration with the insular Institution, places La Gomera as a strategic point of international cooperation. During the sessions, the lessons learned in recent episodes will be analyzed, such as the eruption of the Tajogaite volcano in La Palma (2021) or the seismovolcanic crisis of El Hierro (2011), focusing on the mental health of the affected population.
During the opening ceremony, Adasat Reyes stressed that "when we talk about volcanoes, we are not just talking about science, geology or natural risk management. We are talking, above all, about people. Eruptions leave their mark on the territory, but also on the lives of those who inhabit it." "That experience in La Palma taught us that it is not enough to evacuate or protect infrastructure; it is essential to address the human and emotional dimension, because fear, uncertainty and loss are realities that require specialized attention," he stated.
In this sense, the vice president emphasized that the resilience of the islands depends on a comprehensive strategy based on prevention and citizen awareness. "Administrations have the responsibility of not waiting for crises to occur to prepare. Prevention involves scientific knowledge and coordination, but also social education so that the population knows how to act and trust their institutions." “The Canary Islands are, have been and will be a volcanic territory, and our duty is to permanently work on building more informed and prepared societies,” he noted.
Cooperation in Macaronesia
The day stands out for its transnational character, uniting the archipelagos of Macaronesia that, due to their shared geological nature, face similar challenges. Reyes valued this collaboration network, since "we share risks, but we also share knowledge and capacity for cooperation. This day allows us to learn from what has been experienced in each territory and strengthens a network that will be fundamental when we have to face new challenges in the future."
The meeting will continue throughout the day with working tables and technical presentations aimed at training the professionals who intervene on the front lines, guaranteeing that, in the event of future geological events, the response is not only technically effective, but also deeply humane in supporting citizens.
