Israel and Mexico: Partnering for Stronger Earthquake Resilience

In September 1985, Mexico City experienced one of the darkest moments in its modern history. A devastating earthquake struck the capital, claiming thousands of lives and leaving much of the city in ruins. Thirty-two years later, in 2017, Mexico once again faced a powerful earthquake that shook the nation and brought back painful memories. On both occasions, the people of Israel stood side by side with Mexico, sending expert rescue teams and engineers with experience in structural evaluation to help determine which buildings remained safe and which were at risk of collapse.

These acts of solidarity were more than emergency interventions; they became symbols of the enduring friendship between Mexico and Israel. The cooperation demonstrated how two nations, separated by geography but united by shared values, can stand together in moments of vulnerability.

Mexico’s seismic history has created a collective awareness of the need to be prepared for future disasters. The earthquakes of 1985 and 2017 were not only national tragedies, they were also turning points in strengthening emergency protocols, building codes of conduct, and public awareness.

However, resilience requires continuous investment in technology, innovation, and international cooperation. Today, as we commemorate these anniversaries, it is essential to ask: How can Mexico better prepare for the future? And how can international partners like Israel contribute?

As a nation that has faced its own security challenges, Israel has developed advanced expertise in emergency response, disaster management, and technological innovation. The delegations sent to Mexico in 1985 and 2017 are clear examples of this know-how applied in real-world crises. Israeli experts provided immediate assistance, but also shared methodologies for assessing risks, strengthening infrastructure, and saving lives under extreme conditions.

This accumulated knowledge has evolved into a thriving ecosystem of Israeli startups and companies specializing in disaster preparedness and resilience. These companies now offer tools that could help Mexico not only respond more effectively to earthquakes, but also mitigate their impact before they strike.

Technology as a Bridge: Israeli Companies for Seismic Resilience

The transformation of solidarity into long-term cooperation can be seen in the work of several Israeli companies pushing the frontier of disaster technology.

SeismicAI uses artificial intelligence to provide early warning systems for earthquakes. By analyzing seismic waves in real time, their technology can give communities and infrastructure operators precious seconds to shut down critical systems, stop trains, or evacuate vulnerable areas before the strongest tremors arrive. For a city like Mexico City — densely populated and highly vulnerable — such seconds can translate into thousands of lives saved.

GreenVibe applies advanced sensors and data analytics to monitor the structural integrity of buildings and construction sites. After an earthquake, one of the greatest challenges is determining which structures are safe to enter and which are at risk of collapse. Israeli engineers supported this kind of work in 1985 and 2017 manually; now, companies like GreenVibe can provide real-time, precise data to guide decision-makers, accelerating recovery and preventing secondary disasters.

SayVU Technologies offers a platform for emergency communication and management. In the chaos following a natural disaster, traditional communication systems are often disrupted. SayVU’s solution allows first responders, governments, and citizens to remain connected, improving coordination and speeding up rescue efforts.

RelyOn AI specializes in comprehensive crisis management, integrating real-time information from multiple sources: sensors, citizen reports, cameras, and emergency networks. This enables authorities to make quick decisions, prioritize resources, and coordinate multiple teams simultaneously. The tool not only supports immediate response but also helps plan post-disaster reconstruction, optimizing both time and resources.

Atlas Simulators designs, builds, and operates mobile, sophisticated simulators used for training in urban search and rescue and emergency response scenarios. Their simulators replicate disaster conditions, such as collapsed buildings or earthquake damage, so teams (first responders, rescue personnel, possibly civilians) can rehearse realistic rescue operations safely.

These examples demonstrate that Israel’s contribution is not limited to solidarity in times of tragedy; it extends to practical, innovative solutions that can help Mexico build resilience and protect lives.

Mexico’s Opportunity: A Safer, More Resilient Future

Mexico has made significant progress since 1985 in terms of urban planning, construction regulations, and emergency response. Yet, the challenges remain daunting. Large urban centers continue to face risks due to population density, aging infrastructure, and complex geology.

Here lies a significant opportunity for Mexico: by adopting advanced technologies from Israel and fostering partnerships between governments, academia, and the private sector, the country can transform its approach from reactive to proactive.

For businesses and investors, this shift is more than a moral imperative, it is an economic necessity. Every peso invested in prevention and resilience can save many more in reconstruction and economic losses. Furthermore, companies that prioritize resilience gain competitive advantages, from operational continuity to enhanced trust from clients and communities.

Bilateral Collaboration: Beyond Emergencies

The history of Mexico-Israel cooperation during the 1985 and 2017 earthquakes is a reminder that true partnerships are built in times of need. Today, those partnerships can evolve into structured collaborations for the future.

Joint initiatives could include:

• Integrating Israeli early-warning systems into Mexico’s national emergency protocols.
•   Partnering with Mexican universities and research centers to adapt and localize technologies.
•   Encouraging public-private partnerships where Israeli startups collaborate with Mexican construction, energy, and infrastructure companies.
•   Expanding training and simulation programs for first responders and municipal authorities.

Such collaborations would not only strengthen Mexico’s seismic resilience but also open new avenues for business and innovation between the two nations.

Honoring Memory, Building the Future

Commemorating the earthquakes of 1985 and 2017 is not only about remembering loss, it is about honoring resilience, solidarity, and the lessons learned. Israel’s role in these moments of crisis reflects a friendship rooted in human connection. Today, with technology and innovation as allies, Mexico and Israel have the chance to transform that friendship into a forward-looking partnership that saves lives and strengthens communities.

As we look to the future, the message is clear: memory lights our path, but innovation drives our progress. Together, Mexico and Israel can build a safer, more resilient future.