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

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 acknowledge the aid made to the victims of the earthquake. Analysing the contemporary documents, we conclude that the leaders of the time developed and implemented 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.