Sombor, May 12, 2025 – An open-air fair, a workshop for senior citizens, and a live rescue demonstration were held today at Holy Trinity Square and City Hall in Sombor, all dedicated to promoting public health and safety in emergencies. The event was organized by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with the support of the European Union and in cooperation with the City of Sombor, the Sombor Red Cross, and the Sector for Emergency Management of the Ministry of Interior (MoI).
Within the Health and Safety Fair, visitors had the opportunity to check key health indicators such as blood pressure and blood sugar levels free of charge, and to receive other important information related to health preservation and personal safety.
During the day, elderly citizens participated in a workshop on mental health in crisis situations. Members of the Sombor Red Cross gave them advice on overcoming stress and trauma, and provided guidance on available forms of psychosocial support during and after emergencies.
Also, the representatives of the Ministry of Interior, the City of Sombor Civil Protection, and the Red Cross jointly conducted a rescue and protection drill demonstrating evacuation procedures, first aid techniques, and on-site coordination. The exercise allowed citizens to witness firsthand how emergency response systems operate and learn how they can better protect themselves and their family and friends in such situations.
On this occasion, Dr Vera Stojiljković, Assistant to the Minister of Health for International Cooperation, and Žarko Petrović, Team Leader for Resilient Development in UNDP Serbia, presented a defibrillator – a life-saving device used in the event of sudden cardiac arrest – to Sombor Mayor Antonio Ratković. The defibrillator will be installed in the City Hall building.
Sombor Mayor Antonio Ratković
emphasized that the location in the heart of Sombor was chosen due to the high frequency
of population in the main street and the nearby marketplace. “We believe
this is the right location for a device like this,” said Ratković. The
Mayor added that such activities and workshop organized for pensioners present
an opportunity for everyone involved, either directly or indirectly, in the
healthcare system to broaden their knowledge and skills and familiarize with
new mechanisms that will enable a more efficient and higher-quality health
protection in all situations.
“As a society, we are
increasingly faced with challenges posed by emergencies, whether natural
disasters, health crises, or other unforeseen circumstances. The health and
safety of citizens is our top priority, and I firmly believe that each of us
can play a role in helping ourselves and others in times of crisis. It is
essential to recognize that mental health and social support play a crucial
role in the recovery of a community, especially for elderly, who may be more
physically or emotionally vulnerable,” said Dr Vera Stojiljković, Assistant to
the Minister of Health.
“Education of citizens and cooperation with responsible services can significantly improve their ability to better prepare for response and actions in emergencies and to timely and effectively protect their lives and health,” pointed out Žarko Petrović, Team Leader for Resilient Development at UNDP Serbia.
This event was organized within the project "EU for Healthcare in Serbia", funded by the European Union, and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the World Health Organization (WHO), in partnership with the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Serbia.
