100 % Participation – a Strong Sign of Success for PPES’ Preparedness and Planning Activity

Thursday, 24 June 2010 14:48

Belgrade, June 23, 2010: All 45 municipalities certified as Enhanced Disaster Resilient by USAID’s PPES Program illustrated their commitment to being an equal partner in an integrated emergency management system for Serbia.

Mayors, disaster management team members and other municipal officials traveled to Belgrade on June 23 to attend Wednesday’s second meeting of the Certified Municipalities Group.  PPES facilitated the creation of the informal network to improve coordination and communications between local and national emergency management stakeholders.

The National Hydro-Meteorological Service and “Jaroslav Cerni” Institute also participated and described their work to improve weather forecasting technology and early warning systems. This technology will improve planning for and response to natural disasters, essential to the goal of a modern, integrated system for disaster management system in Serbia.

Seven new municipalities joined the CMG since the first meeting held in February.

Participants agreed on four activities that support their goals for improved cooperation between local and national government.

1.    Include more municipal representatives in the development of bylaws.
2.    Establish a Committee on Emergency Situations within the Standing Conference of Cities and Municipalities.
3.    Work jointly on emergency management strategic documents to ensure local government interests are reflected.
4.     Advocate for increased emergency management funding for municipalities.

 
Participants discussed updates and changes to national emergency management policy and completed a survey to assess the training needs of local disaster management teams.

 

 

CERTIFICATION KEEPS CITIZENS SAFE AND PROTECTS THEIR PROPERTY. The importance of successfully completing PPES training and technical assistance methodology is already at work in the newly certified municipality of Senta in Vojvodina.  Heavy rains in May threatened to cause serious flooding and damage to private and public properly in Senta.  The maturity of municipalities that completed the PPES program in 2009 is also evident.  Rather than focusing only on emergency response, Petrovac na Mlavi, certified in September 2009, is building systems to prevent and manage flood threats from the rivers and creeks that border the municipality.

 

 

 

 

Serbian Red Cros Secretary General Ms Vesna Milenovic addresses the CMG meeting wishing a warm welcome to all participants

WHY IS THE NEW LAW IMPORTANT? A critical issue facing both levels of government now is the lack of bylaws and regulations to fully implement the new Law on Emergency Situations adopted on December 29, 2009. The new law transfers significant responsibility and authority to local government for protection of its citizens as well as to initiate actions that prevent or reduce the impact of natural or manmade disasters. The CMG advocates the interests of local government to national decision makers and builds a network of communications across Serbian municipalities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 For More Information:

USAID PPES Preparedness and Planning Activity

(please contact our Communications Office):

  www.scopes-serbia.org/index.php/en/contactus

 

United States Agency for International Development - Mission in Serbia

Serbia.usaid.gov/ 

Ministry of Interior:

www.mup.gov.rs/

Serbian Red Cross:

www.redcross.org.rs/

Municipality of Senta:

www.zenta-senta.co.rs/

Municipality of Petrovac na Mlavi:

www.petrovacnamlavi.rs/

 

Other Relevant Links:

National Hydro-Meteorological Service:

www.hidmet.gov.rs/

"Jaroslav Cerni" Institute:

www.jcerni.rs/

Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities:

www.skgo.org/

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