Law on disaster risk reduction and emergency situation management.

This Law regulates the necessary rules aimed at disaster risk reduction, prevention and strengthening of the general resilience and preparedness of individuals and of community for responding to the consequences of disasters, including actions aimed at protecting and saving people, material, cultural and other goods. This text also sets out the rights and obligations of citizens, associations, legal entities, bodies of local self-government units, autonomous provinces and the Republic of Serbia, as regards the governance in emergency situations, including the functioning of civil protection, early warning, intelligence and alert systems, international cooperation, inspection and other issues relevant to the organization and functioning of the national risk reduction system for disasters and emergency situations management. The system of disaster risk reduction and emergency management is of particular interest to the Republic of Serbia and is part of the overall national security system.
The text is divided into thirteen main Chapters and 121 articles. Titles of Chapters are here listed: (I) Basic provisions; (II) Disaster risk reduction and emergency management system; (III) Rights and duties of disaster risk reduction and emergency management system subjects; (IV) Emergency situation; (V) Firefighting and fire rescue units; (VI) Civil protection; (VII) Early warning, information and alert; (VIII) Training and education; (IX) International cooperation; (X) Records; (XI) Supervision; (XII) Penalty provisions; and (XIII) Transitional and final provisions. Specific disaster risk assessment provisions are in article 15; for issues on disaster risk reduction planning see article 16.
This Law provides for rules as in accordance with the following principles: the principle of integrated action and cross-sectoral cooperation; the principle of primary role of local communities; the principle of gradual use of forces and means; the principle of equality and protection of human rights; the principle of participation and solidarity; the principle of public information. The system of disaster risk reduction and emergency situation management represents an integrated form of management and organization of several entities that are authorized to participate in the implementation of preventive and operational measures and authorized at performing related necessary tasks of protecting and rescuing of people, goods and environment, including measures for the recovery from possible consequences. Disaster risk reduction includes, but is not limited to: accurate identification, regular assessment and monitoring of disaster risks to control them; reducing the effects of factors that cause or increase disaster risks through responsible and appropriate management environment, land, water and other natural resources, land use planning and undertaking appropriate technical and other measures; mitigation of adverse effects on the fullest possible understanding of the risks of them, the planning of their prevention and increasing readiness to respond and act effectively; disaster recovery in accordance with the principle of building a better system, which will make infrastructure and society as a whole more resilient to future disasters; investing in disaster prevention and mitigation through encouraging public and private investment and undertaking structural and non-structural measures; building a culture of safety and resilience of individuals and communities to disasters; intensive mutual cooperation of all competent institutions at all levels of government, as well as partnership with private and public enterprises, other legal entities, entrepreneurs, civil society organizations and all interested citizens who can contribute to disaster risk reduction; establishing accurate procedures for the exchange of information and experiences of importance for risk reduction and for efficient providing and receiving international operational and humanitarian assistance for disaster relief and initial reconstruction of affected areas located on the national territory; and climate change monitoring and community adaptation to expected impacts of such climate change.