EU Supports the Introduction of an SMS Early Warning System for Disaster Hazards in Serbia

August 26, 2024, Belgrade - With the support of the European Union, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior Ivica Dacic and Minister of Information and Telecommunications Dejan Ristic signed a Memorandum of Cooperation on the transmission of urgent information to citizens in the event of a warning or occurrence of natural disasters or technical-technological accidents. Based on this Memorandum, a new system will begin to function, which will automatically send warnings via SMS to the numbers of all mobile phone users in the affected area. This will enable faster transmission of important information and reduce risks to the lives and property of citizens. The implementation of this system is expected to start on September 15, 2024.

Minister Dacic emphasized the recognized need to improve the traditional public alert system through the application of a messaging system to mobile phone users, which will enable the sending of urgent hazard warnings and instructions on measures to be taken to minimize negative consequences.

“This would establish a comprehensive early warning and public information system, accessible to the largest number of citizens. All mobile phones at the base station, in the part of the territory threatened by a certain risk in the context of emergencies or anything else, will receive an SMS message,” explained Minister Dacic.

“The entire territory of the Republic of Serbia will be covered, but SMS notifications will also be able to reach citizens in a specific region affected by a particular natural hazard or technical-technological accident,” stated Minister Ristic, adding that in addition to Serbian citizens, all foreign nationals using the services of foreign mobile operators present in Serbian territory will also be included by this system.

To establish this system, a special working group has been formed, consisting of representatives from the Ministry of the Interior, Ministry of Information and Telecommunications, the Regulatory Authority for Electronic Communications and Postal Services (RATEL), all mobile phone operators, and relevant institutions such as the Serbian Radiation and Nuclear Safety and Security Directorate, Republic Hydrometeorological Service of Serbia, public water management companies SrbijaVode and Vojvodina Vode, and the Seismological Survey of Serbia.

By engaging expert support and participating in the working group, the European Union and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) support the introduction of a unique early warning system within the “EU for Healthcare System in Serbia” project. This project, with financial support from the EU, is implemented by UNDP and the World Health Organization in partnership with the Ministry of Health.

* Statements and photos have been taken from the website of the Ministry of Interior.