13 October 2026, Smederevo - To mark the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, a preventive and educational event titled “Together for a Safer Home” was held in Smederevo. The event was dedicated to raising public awareness about the importance of prevention and correct procedures in the event of fires and other emergencies.
The event was organized by the Sector for Emergency Management of the Ministry of Interior, in cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Serbia, and with the participation of the Red Cross of Serbia, Caritas Serbia, voluntary fire brigades, and civil protection.
“Safety begins in every home, and knowing how to recognize danger and react properly can make a critical difference when every second counts. Our goal is to bring preventive measures closer to citizens, highlighting the importance of early fire detection and actions that can prevent accidents or mitigate their consequences. It is particularly important to discuss these topics with children and young people, as safe behavior habits are built from an early age. Building resilience is a shared responsibility of institutions, organizations, and every individual,” said Boban Stevanović, Deputy Head of the Sector for Emergency Management.
Violeta Sretenović, representative of the United Nations Development Programme, emphasized that people’s health and lives are the most valuable assets to be protected.
“Preserving the health of citizens must be at the heart of all disaster risk reduction activities. Whether we are talking about fires, heatwaves, or floods, it is vital that citizens know how to recognize risks, protect themselves and their loved ones, and react in a timely manner. That is why prevention and preparedness represent an investment in healthier, more resilient, and safer communities,” said Violeta Sretenović.
At the Sector for Emergency Management stand, rescue and protection equipment and resources were presented, with a special focus on household fire prevention and the importance of installing smoke detectors for early hazard detection.
Educational and interactive activities were organized for the youngest visitors, including the presentation of the “RESPONSE” mobile application and the game “RESPONSE Challenge – How Much Do You Know About Safety?”, both designed to encourage children and young people to improve their knowledge of risks and safe behavior.
The Red Cross of Serbia, together with the Red Cross of Smederevo, presented activities in the field of first aid and disaster risk reduction, including hazard recognition, properly calling emergency services, and evacuation planning.
Caritas Serbia organized educational and creative activities for children and families, while UNDP presented informational materials tailored to various population groups, including blind and visually impaired persons, as well as national minorities. In addition, together with the Sector for Emergency Management of the Ministry of Interior, UNDP distributed 100 smoke detectors to facilitate rapid fire risk detection.
These activities are implemented with the support of the European Union under the project “EU for Serbia's Health System”, implemented by UNDP and the World Health Organization (WHO), in partnership with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Interior – Sector for Emergency Management.
In line with the global campaign of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), under the slogan “Resilience Starts at Home”, this year’s commemoration highlights the importance of every household’s preparedness for various hazards. Ahead of the winter and heating season, special attention was paid to fire prevention, the safe use of heating appliances and devices, and timely response.
