Knowledge that Protects: Schoolchildren in Smederevo Learn Through Play How to Respond in Emergencies

Smederevo, 29 April 2026 – With the support of the European Union, an educational event and evacuation drill entitled “Knowledge that Protects: Emergency Response and Accident Response” was held today at Branislav Nušić Primary School in Smederevo, with the aim of raising awareness and improving children’s practical knowledge of safe behaviour in the event of fires and other emergencies.

Educational lectures, a knowledge quiz, and practical emergency response exercises, including an evacuation drill, were organized for the school’s students. The activities were jointly carried out by experts from the Department for Emergency Situations of the Sector for Emergency Management, the Red Cross Smederevo, the Emergency Medical Service, and the City of Smederevo, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

On this occasion, the Mayor of the City of Smederevo, Jasmina Vojinović, emphasized the importance of investing in children’s safety and knowledge. “Through today’s activities, students gained basic knowledge on how to respond in emergencies and act in accidents, strengthening their awareness of risks and their ability to act in a timely and responsible manner. The knowledge children acquire today is intended to empower them, make them safer, and encourage calm and responsible behaviour in unpredictable circumstances.”

As part of the programme, the school’s students took part in a series of educational and practical activities. Through a session on the basic principles of fire protection and response, the children learned about appropriate behaviour in risky situations. Through practical examples and age-appropriate discussion, they also gained knowledge about first aid and accident response. The programme was further enriched by a quiz on public health and fire protection, allowing students to review and reinforce their newly acquired knowledge in an interactive way.

“In the context of climate change and the increasingly frequent occurrence of fires and floods, rapid and appropriate response, supported by adequate knowledge and preparedness, is crucial for saving lives. This is why it is necessary to invest continuously in education, preparedness, and strengthening community resilience,” said Ivan Baras, Assistant Head of the Sector for Emergency Management of the Ministry of the Interior.

The central part of the event was a practical fire evacuation drill conducted by the Department for Emergency Situations of the City of Smederevo, aimed at underscoring the importance of calm and coordinated response.

“By investing in the knowledge and empowerment of children and young people, we are investing in a safer and more resilient future for society as a whole, because preparedness for emergencies begins precisely in schools and local communities. It is important for children to acquire these skills from an early age, through play, practice, and in a safe environment. This activity is part of a broader initiative aimed at strengthening the disaster risk management system and improving the protection of the population throughout Serbia,” said Jelena Marić Luković, UNDP representative.

The event was organized within the framework of the “EU for Serbia’s Health System” project, funded by the European Union and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the World Health Organization (WHO), in partnership with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of the Interior – Sector for Emergency Management.