Understanding Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems: A Comprehensive Guide to Their Functionality, Essential Elements, Advantages, and Successful Implementations Around the Globe

Introduction Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems (MHEWS) have become essential tools in disaster risk management, providing critical information that helps communities prepare for and respond to a wide range of hazards. From natural disasters, such as earthquakes and hurricanes, to technological events and public health crises, MHEWS aim to mitigate losses by giving timely […]

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Artificial Intelligence in Disaster Risk Management: Applications, Benefits, Risks, and Real-World Examples in 2026

Introduction The role of artificial intelligence (AI) in enhancing disaster risk management is increasingly recognized as essential in our rapidly changing world. Natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes, and hurricanes pose significant threats to communities globally, necessitating effective risk management strategies. By integrating AI technologies, disaster risk management can evolve with enhanced predictive […]

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20260722 082904 scaled The Role of Community Engagement in Enhancing Disaster Resilience: Evidence from Recent Studies

The Role of Community Engagement in Enhancing Disaster Resilience: Evidence from Recent Studies

<h2>I. Introduction</h2> <p>The increasing frequency and intensity of natural disasters worldwide highlight the urgent need for effective disaster resilience strategies. Disaster resilience refers to the capacity of individuals, communities, and systems to anticipate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from significant adverse events. Central to enhancing disaster resilience is the concept of community […]

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Assessing Local Disaster Governance in Coastal Bangladesh: Comparing Institutional and Community Perspectives on Disaster Management Committees

Abstract Despite substantial investments in decentralized disaster governance, Bangladesh’s coastal regions remain highly vulnerable to climate-induced hazards. Disaster Management Committees (DMCs) were established to enhance local preparedness, response, and recovery through participatory governance. However, empirical evidence on their effectiveness at the community level remains limited. This study examines the institutional capacity, operational effectiveness, […]

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Predictive Model of Community Disaster Resilience Across Serbia: A BRIC–DROP Composite Index and Spatial Patterns

Abstract Community disaster resilience is increasingly guiding risk-reduction investments, but in many Southeast European settings, comparable subnational data remain scarce. This study assesses perceived community disaster resilience across Serbia by combining BRIC–DROP dimensions into a single index and analyzing differences across hazard types and sociodemographic factors. A cross-sectional household survey was conducted using […]

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Nanotechnology: Challenges in Combating Climate Change

Abstract Climate change represents a systemic risk that simultaneously affects natural ecosystems, the economy, and public health, with impacts manifested through more frequent and more intense extreme weather events, resource degradation, and impaired food and water security. Mitigation requires rapid reductions in greenhouse-gas emissions, while adaptation entails adjusting infrastructure, production systems, and public […]

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Measuring Community Disaster Resilience in Serbia Using an Adapted BRIC Framework Grounded in DROP: Index Construction and Regional Disparities

Abstract Disaster resilience has become a key focus of risk reduction efforts, but measuring it remains complex due to differences in hazards, development paths, and data systems. This study modifies the Baseline Resilience Indicators for Communities (BRIC) approach, based on the Disaster Resilience of Place (DROP) framework, to evaluate community resilience in Serbia […]

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Disasters and deviant behavior: risk factors and citizen perceptions in Serbia

Abstract Disasters, in addition to immediate material losses, can trigger secondary psychosocial processes that increase the risk of various forms of deviant and violent behavior. This paper aims to examine citizens’ perceptions in Serbia regarding the connections between disasters, violence, and deviant behavior, as well as factors associated with awareness, self-assessed readiness to […]

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First responders in the Western Balkans: Strengthening Capacities and Preparedness for a Resilient Future

Abstract First responders are crucial to disaster risk management in the Western Balkans, but their capacity and preparedness vary significantly across countries and sectors. To enable comparable, evidence-based insights, this review uses a harmonized Readiness to Respond (R2R) framework across five key sectors: firefighting and rescue, police, emergency medical services (EMS), civil protection, […]

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Rethinking Disaster Resilience: Conceptual Framework, Core Dimensions, and Key Actors

Abstract This article explores the conceptual and theoretical foundations of disaster resilience to understand its full complexity and multidisciplinary nature. The first section traces definitions from their etymological origins and early scholarly interpretations to modern perspectives that view resilience as a dynamic mechanism for overcoming risk and crisis. It highlights the concept’s adaptability […]

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Digital Literacy and Educational Empowerment Among Rural Women in Bangladesh: Bridging the Technology Access Gap

Abstract This study explores how digital literacy influences the education and empowerment of rural women in Bangladesh from 2015 to 2024. Using data from surveys, semi-structured interviews, and focus groups, it examines how rural women access digital technologies, the challenges they face, and the social and educational benefits of increased digital engagement. Despite […]

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Spatial–Temporal Trends of Cancer Among Women in Central Serbia, 1999–2021: Implications for Disaster and Public Health Preparedness

Abstract Background/Objectives: Cancer is a major public health burden in Serbia and a factor influencing long-term disaster readiness by straining health system capacity. This study examined spatial and temporal trends in incidence and mortality for eight major cancers among women in Central Serbia (1999–2021) to inform targeted prevention and preparedness strategies. Methods: Standardised […]

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Factors of Vulnerability and Resilience of Persons with Disabilities During Disasters: Challenges and Strategies for Inclusive Risk Reduction

Abstract Persons with disabilities (PWDs) are among the most at-risk groups during disaster situations due to various physical, sensory, cognitive, and systemic challenges that hinder their ability to prepare for, respond to, and recover from crises. Although international legal frameworks emphasise their inclusion, people with disabilities (PWDs) often struggle to access essential resources, […]

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Understanding Ransomware Through the Lens of Disaster Risk: Implications for Cybersecurity and Economic Stability

Abstract Ransomware has emerged as a modern digital crisis, mirroring the widespread disruptions typically associated with natural or artificial disasters. As global economies grow increasingly interconnected through digital systems, the fallout from ransomware attacks stretches far beyond mere technical breaches. These incidents result in severe financial damage, disrupt operations, erode reputations, and contribute […]

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Integrating Psychosocial Support into Emergency and Disaster Management and Public Safety: The Role of the Red Cross of Serbia

Abstract As emergencies and disasters continue to strain public health systems globally, integrating psychosocial support into national response frameworks has emerged as a critical, though often overlooked, priority. This study examines the role of the Red Cross of Serbia in delivering Psychosocial First Aid (PFA), highlighting it as a vital yet underrepresented component […]

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Disaster Risk Perception and Local Resilience near the ‘Duboko’ Landfill: Challenges of Governance, Management, Trust, and Environmental Communication in Serbia

Abstract This study examines residents’ perceptions of environmental and disaster risks near the “Duboko” regional landfill in Serbia. It aims to uncover factors that affect public trust and community resilience. This approach is rooted in interdisciplinary perspectives on risk perception, institutional trust, and socio-ecological resilience. A structured, self-administered questionnaire was used to collect […]

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Qualitative insights into cultural heritage protection in Serbia: Addressing legal and institutional gaps for disaster risk resilience

Abstract This research is dedicated to a comprehensive exploration of the strengths and weaknesses inherent in the legal and institutional measures established to safeguard cultural heritage in the Republic of Serbia against the adverse effects of disasters, including earthquakes, landslides, rockfalls, floods, torrents, storms, hail, and forest fires. The study seeks to identify […]

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Understanding seismic hazard resilience in Montenegro: A qualitative analysis of community preparedness and response capabilities

Abstract Enhancing resilience against seismic hazards in earthquake-prone regions is essential for reducing the devastating impacts of disasters. Seismic resilience refers to a community’s ability to withstand and recover from earthquake impacts, while preparedness gaps are the areas where current measures are insufficient to effectively respond to or mitigate earthquake damage. This study […]

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Disaster Risk Perception and Local Resilience near the ‘Duboko’ Landfill: Challenges of Governance, Management, Trust, and Environmental Communication in Serbia

Abstract This study examines residents’ perceptions of environmental and disaster risks near the “Duboko” regional landfill in Serbia. It aims to uncover factors that affect public trust and community resilience. This approach is rooted in interdisciplinary perspectives on risk perception, institutional trust, and socio-ecological resilience. A structured, self-administered questionnaire was used to collect […]

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Comprehensive Risk Analysis of Emergency Medical Response Systems in Serbian Healthcare: Assessing Systemic Vulnerabilities in Disaster Preparedness and Response

Abstract Background/Objectives: Emergency Medical Response Systems (EMRSs) play a vital role in delivering medical aid during natural and man-made disasters. This quantitative research delves into the analysis of risk and effectiveness within Serbia’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS), with a special emphasis on how work organization, resource distribution, and preparedness for mass casualty events […]

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Private Security Preparedness for Disasters Caused by Natural and Anthropogenic Hazards

Abstract The subject of the research is to examine the private security preparedness for disasters caused by natural and anthropogenic hazards. In addition, the relationship between preparedness levels and various demographic and socio-economic factors is examined. The survey was anonymous with 4-point Likert scale questions (1- I absolutely disagree; 4- I absolutely agree). […]

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Capacity Building in Serbia for Disaster and Climate Risk Education

Abstract The territory of the Republic of Serbia is exposed to various natural and technical-technological hazards that increasingly endanger people and their material goods. An integrated disaster risk management system (preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery) has not yet taken root in Serbia to a sufficient extent, although there are certain institutional and legal […]

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The role of the police of Montenegro in combating fan hooliganism

Abstract In recent years, hooligan incidents in Montenegro have become more frequent and violent. Hooliganism at sports events is becoming recognized as a serious problem by citizens, legislators, and other state institutions. Violence at sports events in Montenegro exists, but it still does not represent a major security problem. States deal with this […]

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Comparative analysis of national strategies for protection and rescue in emergencies in Serbia and Montenegro with emphasis on Croatia

Abstract Emergencies caused by different types of disasters (natural, technological and complex) are as old as human history. They have always created serious problems for people and their communities, forcing them to take appropriate measures to ensure their prevention, mitigation, response and recovery. Keeping in mind the security implications of emergencies for the […]

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Influence of households distance on flood disaster preparedness in Serbia (Uticaj udaljenosti domaćinstva od reke na spremnost građana za reagovanje na prirodnu katastrofu izazvanu poplavom u Republici Srbiji

Abstract The aim of quantitative research is to examine the impact of distance households on the preparedness of citizens to respond to a natural disaster caused by a flood in the Republic of Serbia. Bearing in mind all local communities in Serbia where floods occurred or there is a high risk of flooding, […]

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Analysis factors of influence to the knowledge and perception of secondary school students in Belgrade about epidemics – Analiza faktora uticaja na znanje i percepciju učenika srednjih škola u Beogradu o epidemijama

Abstract This quantitative research aims to determine the perception and actual knowledge of secondary school students in the Belgrade region with respect to epidemics as a natural disaster and security threat and to identify the factors that influence their knowledge and perceptions. The authors use a method of surveying students to identify and […]

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Floods in the Republic of Serbia – Vulnerability and human security

Abstract Vulnerability and human security have been changing over time and depended on the physical, social, economic and environmental factors. In modern terms these phenomena have become multi-dimensional, multi-disciplinary, multi-sectoral and dynamic. However, in addition to empirical changes with respect to the nature of security threats, the increase of vulnerability and threatening to […]

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Citizen’s education about floods: a Serbian case study

Abstract The aim of quantitative research is a scientific explication of the effects of certain demographic, socio-economic and psychological citizens characteristics on citizens’ education in Serbia about floods. It is because of that that during the whole of 2015, a series of 2,500 face-to-face interviews was conducted in 19 out of the 190 […]

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Integrated Disaster Risk Reduction from Fires: A Literature Review

Abstract All over the world, different types of fires do not cease to cause serious material and non-material consequences, forcing people and their institutions to design and implement various preventive (construction, mechanical, electrical, architectural, etc.) measures to mitigate the risk of such events. Using an integrated disaster risk reduction approach ensures a higher […]

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Uloga društvenih mreža u smanjenju rizika od katastrofa: studija slučaja Beograd (The role of social networks in disaster risk reduction: a case study Belgrade)

Abstract Starting from the decision theory that explains the ways of decision-making, the subject of research is to examine the role and importance of social networks in different phases of integrated risk management (mitigation, preparedness, response, recovery) from disasters in the Republic of Serbia. Using the multi-stage random sampling method, 143 adult citizens […]

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Examination of the factors that influence public perception of mythically-based human behavior in disaster conditions (Ispitivanje faktora uticaja na percepciju javnosti o mitski zasnovanom ponašanju ljudi u uslovima katastrofa)

Abstract Starting from the importance of risk perception for taking certain preventive measures to protect people and their property from disasters, the subject of the research is to examine the factors influencing public perception of mythically-based human behavior in disaster conditions. Using the random sampling method, 250 adult respondents were surveyed in the […]

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Prepreke unapređenju spremnosti građana za reagovanje u prirodnim katastrofama (Barriers to improvement preparedness for responding to natural disasters)

Abstract This paper presents the quantitative research results of the barrier improvement measures of preparedness to respond to natural disasters. The survey was conducted in 2015 in 19 local communities in Serbia. On that occasion, using a testing strategy for households and multistage random sampling of 2,500 persons were interviewed. Survey results show […]

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Baze podataka o rizicima i informacioni servisi podrške odlučivanju u vanrednim situacijama (Risk database and management support information services for emergencies)

Baze podataka o rizicima is the central topic of this scientific publication. Abstract Prirodne i antropogene vanredne situacije predstavlјaju najozbilјniji scenario ugrožavanja bezbednosti koji uslovlјava upotrebu najsavremenijih informacionih servisa kao i korišćenje svih raspoloživih baza podataka o rizicima. U tom smislu, upravlјanje rizicima u vanrednim situacijama je danas nezamislivo bez upotrebe različitih onlajn […]

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Percepcija javnosti o pripremljenosti za biosferske katastrofe izazvane epidemijama: implikacije na proces upravljanja rizicima (Perception of preparedness for biosphere disaster caused by epidemics: implications for risk management process)

Percepcija javnosti o pripremljenosti is the central topic of this scientific publication. Abstract Biospheric disasters, among them the first place of the epidemic, pose a serious threat to human security. Starting from the seriousness and characteristic of disasters caused by epidemics, the subject of research is the examination of the nature of the […]

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Investigating students attitudes and preferences towards disaster learning multimedia to enhance preparedness

Investigating students attitudes and preferences is the central topic of this scientific publication. Abstract This paper presents quantitative research results regarding students’ attitudes and preferences towards disaster learning multimedia to enhance preparedness. The research was conducted during February and March 2021, where the respondents’ answers were collected by sending an online survey questionnaire […]

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Ugroženost žena od posledica prirodno izazvanih katastrofa: studija slučaja Svilajnac (Vulnerability of women to the consequences of naturally caused disasters: the Svilajnac case study)

Ugroženost žena od posledica prirodno is the central topic of this scientific publication. Abstract Citizens’ vulnerability to disaster is a function of both physical and social factors. Gendered disaster social science rests on the social fact of gender as a primary organizing principle of societies and the conviction that gender must be addressed […]

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