CIS - Centro de Investigaciones Sociológicas

• 71.2% believe the number or intensity of natural disasters in Spain will increase in the coming years, according to the latest Civil Protection survey.
• Health services, the EMU (Union of Emergency Medical Services) and 112 emergency services are the services most highly valued by Spaniards in the event of a disaster.
• 23.5% say that authorities and public bodies (governments, firefighters, police, etc.) are the most reliable source of information in the event of a risky situation.

The CIS has conducted its second survey on civil protection, which asks about disaster management, relief services, and the sustainable development goals of the 2030 Agenda.

94.3% of respondents consider it useful to receive a mobile alert in the event of an extraordinary emergency or catastrophe as a form of prevention.

To reduce disaster risk in Spain, 97.3% believe it is "very or fairly necessary" to use early warning systems at the national, regional, and local levels so that messages reach people in a timely manner. A further 96.8% believe it is "very or fairly necessary" to improve the response capacity of the various intervention and relief services: firefighters, UME (Military Emergency Unit), police, medical support, etc. It is also worth noting that 93.4% are in favor of creating or strengthening disaster and emergency prevention and management agencies at the local and regional levels.

71.2% of Spaniards believe that the number or intensity of natural disasters in Spain will increase in the coming years. And 61.3% say this increase and intensity are related to climate change.

Top rated services

In the event of a disaster or emergency, 89.8% of respondents place a lot or a fair amount of trust in health services; in second place is the Military Emergency Unit (UME) (96.8%), and in third place is the 112 emergency service (84.4%).

Concern about a possible catastrophe

Regarding the possibility of being affected by a catastrophe, 59.4% of respondents said their greatest concern would be one related to violence (a terrorist attack, a war). 53.5% said they were "very or quite concerned" about cyberattacks on an institution (a hospital or bank), and 52.2% said they were most concerned about a natural disaster such as drought, heat waves, forest fires, storms, floods, or earthquakes.

48.3% of respondents say they have been affected by some type of catastrophe at some point in their lives.

When asked what catastrophe their municipality is likely to experience, 62.3% believe the most likely disaster is a pandemic or epidemic like COVID or avian flu. At the regional level, Spaniards believe the disaster will be more likely to be natural, such as a flood or drought.

Regarding the types of disasters that have most affected respondents, 29.1% mentioned COVID-19, floods (10.2%), and storms such as windstorms or snowfall (6.2%).
Regarding their level of awareness in an emergency situation, 49.8% say it is "high or very high," 37.6% "low or very low," and 4.5% say it is none.

The reaction to a catastrophe

17.5% say their reaction to such a situation was "fear or dread, but moderate and with reasonable behavior," 14.2% say it was "bewilderment and anxiety," and 5.3% say they experienced it "calmly."

22.2% of Spaniards say the first thing they did in the face of a disaster was to gather or take shelter at home and stay tuned for news; 8.1% said they helped family members, neighbors, and/or other affected people; and 6.1% said they sought information in the media, on social media, etc.

23.5% say authorities and public bodies (governments, fire departments, police, etc.) are the most reliable source of information, 20.5% say television, 20% radio, and 12% social media.

Agenda 2030

59.7% of Spaniards say they have heard of the 2030 Agenda's Sustainable Development Goals. Of these, 39.6% say they have a high level of knowledge on the topic.

75.3% are convinced that replacing fossil fuels like oil with renewable energy can create new opportunities for businesses. Furthermore, 74.2% believe it will create jobs.

Press release