At the international conference entitled “10 years after the floods of 2014”, State Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management Čedomir Rakić emphasized the importance of flood preparation and prevention, stressing that water knows no borders and that floods are a global challenge that requires the readiness of the entire world . Rakić underlined that it is more effective to prevent floods than to repair the damage they cause. According to him, Serbia has learned from past experiences how to build more resilient and sustainable communities that will better cope with flood risks.
In the last few years, Serbia has invested significant funds in the maintenance of existing water facilities. Certain funds have also been set aside for proper planning of new water management systems. These funds come from various sources – the state budget, European Union funds, projects, as well as loans. Specifically, for the year 2024, through the water management program, more than five million dinars have been allocated for the areas under the jurisdiction of the company “Srbijavode”. Of that amount, almost four and a half million dinars, i.e. 80% of the total funds, are intended for the arrangement of watercourses and protection against the harmful effects of water.
Rakić stated that in 2023, three and a half million dinars were allocated for the same activities. At the same time, as he added, in 2022 that amount was slightly smaller, i.e. under three million dinars. These data show that Serbia is gradually increasing the funds intended for flood protection. This is precisely the key to strengthening communities’ resistance to climate change and the risks it brings.
Flood protection is more important than damage repair
The conference was organized by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) with the support of the European Union. This important event brought together more than 20 participants from Serbia and the countries of the Western Balkans. During various panels, government representatives and experts had the opportunity to discuss the challenges facing their countries. They also emphasized the need to explore opportunities for improving the risk management system and reducing the risk of natural disasters.
Also, a Study focusing on the achievements of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management of Serbia, as well as public water management companies, was presented at the conference. The study lists the effects of investments made with the aim of improving the water management system and flood protection in the past decade.
The conclusion of the conference emphasized the need for regional cooperation, solidarity and support in order to strengthen the resilience of communities. Only joint efforts can create preconditions for more effective coping with the challenges ahead, especially in the context of increasingly frequent and serious climate changes.
Source: Euronews
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