Tag: Milanović

Understanding Seismic Hazard Resilience in Montenegro: A Qualitative Analysis of Community Preparedness and Response Capabilities

Cvetković, V., Grozdanić, G., Milanović, M., Marković, S., Lukić, T. (2024). Understanding Seismic Hazard Resilience in Montenegro: A Qualitative Analysis of Community Preparedness and Response Capabilities. Open Geosciences, 16(1), 20220729. Research Article Vladimir M. Cvetković*, Goran Grozdanić, Miško Milanović, Slobodan Marković, and Tin Lukić Understanding seismic hazard resilience in Montenegro: A qualitative analysis of community preparedness and response capabilities https://doi.org/10.1515/geo-2022-0729 received May 13, 2024; accepted October 15, 2024 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 focuses on Montenegro – a region with frequent seismic activity – aiming to assess resili- ence levels, identify critical gaps in preparedness, and evaluate the effectiveness of existing response strategies. Using qualitative methods, including semi-structured interviews, the research gathered insights from residents of Montenegro’s most vulner- able cities: Nikšić, Podgorica, Bar, Kotor, Cetinje, Budva, Herceg Novi, and Berane. Participants, chosen for their first-hand experience with significant earthquake impacts, provided valu- able perspectives on various aspects of resilience, from local  * Corresponding author: Vladimir M. Cvetković, Department of Disaster Management and Environmental Security, Faculty of Security Studies, University of Belgrade, Gospodara Vučića 50, 11040, Belgrade, Serbia; Safety and Disaster Studies, Department of Environmental and Energy Process Engineering, Montanuniversität of Leoben, Franz Josef- Straße 18, 8700, Leoben, Austria; Scientific-Professional Society for Disaster Risk Management, Dimitrija Tucovića 121, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia, e-mail: vmc@fb.bg.ac.rs, vladimir.cvetkovic@unileoben.ac.at Goran Grozdanić: Faculty of Philosophy, University of Montenegro, Danila Bojovića bb., 81400, Nikšić, Montenegro, e-mail: gorangr@ucg.ac.me Miško Milanović: Faculty of Geography, University of Belgrade, Studentski Trg 3/III, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia, e-mail: misko.milanovic@gef.bg.ac.rs Slobodan Marković: Department of Geography, Tourism and Hotel Management, Faculty of Sciences, University […]

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

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 focuses on Montenegro – a region with frequent seismic activity – aiming to assess resilience levels, identify critical gaps in preparedness, and evaluate the effectiveness of existing response strategies. Using qualitative methods, including semi-structured interviews, the research gathered insights from residents of Montenegro’s most vulnerable cities: Nikšić, Podgorica, Bar, Kotor, Cetinje, Budva, Herceg Novi, and Berane. Participants, chosen for their first-hand experience with significant earthquake impacts, provided valuable perspectives on various aspects of resilience, from local government response to individual preparedness. This research revealed significant disparities in resilience across communities: for instance, approximately 62.5% of the respondents highlighted inadequate education as a barrier to effective earthquake preparedness, and only 37.5% reported awareness of basic earthquake response procedures. Furthermore, while some communities, such as urban areas with accessible services, reported higher preparedness levels, rural areas showed deficiencies, with 50% of the respondents from these areas identifying a lack of organized drills and limited public awareness initiatives. These findings underscore the urgent need for community-specific preparedness programs and enhancements in both structural resilience and public education to bolster community readiness effectively. Also, findings highlight the need for customized preparedness programs tailored to specific community needs, alongside improvements in structural safety measures and educational outreach. The study underscores the importance of a comprehensive approach involving detailed risk assessments, community-focused preparedness training, and stronger public awareness initiatives. Furthermore, the study calls for enhanced local government capabilities to sustain proactive response measures, including rapid mobilization of emergency resources and regular disaster simulations, to […]

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