PRESS RELEASE (March 25, 2008)
On March 28, in Ivanjica, USAID’s Contingency Planning and Economic Security program will sign Memoranda of Understanding with two west Serbian municipalities: Ivanjica and Arilje. Mr. Michael Pillsbury, the Director of the program, will sign the agreements on emergency planning and response with: Mr. Milomir Zoric, Mayor of Ivanjica and Dr. Zoran Micovic, Mayor of Arilje.
The purpose of the MoU is to formalize the joint commitment of the two local governments and USAID's Contingency Planning program and define the roles and responsibilities for both parties in strengthening local-level capacity to plan for and respond to natural disasters, crises and emergencies. The purpose of the program is to help municipalities be more resilient to disasters and emergencies by supporting efforts that address preparedness, response, recovery and prevention. The program helps municipalities meet international standards in disaster preparedness. Municipalities meeting these standards will receive certification in disaster resilience.
Both municipalities have faced floods and landslides during recent years. This recent experience demonstrated that cooperation between local and republic authorities and a well-coordinated municipal disaster management structure is critical to quick and efficient disaster response and recovery. With the addition of Ivanica and Arilje the program will be working with 41 municipalities throughout Serbia on preparedness and planning strengthening.
Journalists interested in attending the signing ceremony are kindly invited to be at the Municipal Assembly building in Ivanjica, on March 28, 2007 at 2:45PM.
For more information about this event please contact Jasmina Debeljak Maljkovic, on 063-209-469,
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, or Slaviša Brzakovic, on 063-345290 at
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. For more information about USAID’s activities in Serbia, please visit http://serbia-montenegro.usaid.gov