Experiences of the Serbian Armed Forces in 2014 emergency situations

Abstract

Situated on the Balkan Peninsula and indirectly surrounded by warm seas (Adriatic, Aegean, and Black Sea), leaning on the European continent in the region of Southeast Europe, with plains in the northern part of its territory and mountainous terrain in much of the country, including canyons, gorges and caves, with a continental climate in the north, temperate in the south and mountain climate on high mountains, Serbia has a favorable geographical position. On the other hand, located on the peninsula, it is exposed to natural disasters with severe risks and threats of catastrophes and natural disasters affecting the population, material goods, and the country. In accordance with the Article 139 of the Constitution of the Republic of Serbia, in addition to their mission of defense of Serbia against external armed threats and their participation in keeping and building peace in the region and worldwide, the Serbian Armed Forces support the civilian authorities in resisting the security threats, through countering the internal threats to security, terrorism, separatism, organized crime, catastrophes, natural disasters, technical-technological and other accidents. Because of the proportions and consequences of natural disasters, and the scope of the deployment of forces to eliminate their consequences, the paper primarily describes natural disasters that hit Serbia in 2014, through the following points: (1) Natural disasters in Serbia in 2014 and the participation of the Serbian Armed Forces in eliminating the consequences; (2) The involvement of the Serbian Army in relief of emergency situations in 2014, and (3) Suggestions to improve the involvement of the Serbian Armed Forces in relief of emergency situations. The paper presents significant experiences that the Serbian Armed Forces gained in eliminating the consequences of catastrophes and natural disasters, which can be applied in possible future involvements.