The Regional Secretariat for Health, through the Azores Regional Civil Protection and Fire Service (SRPCBA), celebrates the World Civil Defence Day this year in Santa Cruz da Graciosa.
 
The World Civil Defence Day is celebrated on March 1. However, taking into account the carnival celebrations by the school community on this date, the day will be marked on March 8 in Santa Cruz da Graciosa.
 
The initiative aims to raise awareness for the importance of Civil Protection, particularly for the prevention and coordination of efforts in case of emergency or catastrophe.
 
It is also an opportunity to bring together all those responsible for the area of Civil Protection in the Region with the aim of encouraging the community to adopt an approach based on prevention and take action in situations of increased threat and adversity.
 
Overall, a dozen entities will participate in the celebrations, including SRPCBA, the Graciosa Humanitarian Association of Volunteer Firefighters, the Operational Command of the Azores that will be represented by the Army, Navy and Air Force, GNR (National Republican Guard), the Santa Cruz Town Council, the Regional Directorates for Health and Social Solidarity, and the Civil Protection Club of Graciosa Basic Education and Secondary Schools.
 
The activity programme includes drills, exhibitions, awareness-raising actions as well as other activities aimed at informing the population on the importance of Civil Protection.
 
The World Civil Defence Day is a date established by the International Civil Defence Organisation. March 1 was the chosen day as it is the date when the constitution of this organisation entered into force.
 
The topic of Civil Protection emerged in the Protocol I Additional to the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and relating to the Protection of Victims of Armed Conflicts. It has become a national emergency management system that provides assistance and protection to the entire population in the event of a disaster or accident.