Religion Influence on Disaster Risk Reduction: A case study of Serbia

Authors

  • Vladimir M. Cvetković The University of Belgrade, Faculty of Security Studies, Gospodara Vučića 50, Belgrade, Serbia http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3450-0658
  • Saša Romanić Scientific-Professional Society for Disaster Risk Management, Dimitrija Tucovića 121, Beograd
  • Hatidža Beriša School of National Defense, University of Defense, Veljka Lukića Kurjaka 33, Belgrade; hatidza.berisa@mod.gov.rs

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18485/ijdrm.2023.5.1.6

Keywords:

disasters, influence, risk reduction, religion, Serbia

Abstract

Human perception of nature and God have always been inextricably linked. In order to understand nature and its inherent processes, including various natural hazards, the reasons for their origin were often attributed to God's will, suffering for sin and the similar. Fear of material and human losses prompted a man to pray and offer sacrifices/gifts and other rituals to appease the "wrath of the gods". The progress of civilization and technology has not alleviated the destruction and trauma that natural disasters inflict on all aspects of social life. A major obstacle to this is the exponential population growth in vulnerable areas. The frequency of natural disasters and the fatalistic attitudes that limit the effective fight against them have motivated religious communities and individuals to cooperate with international and international organizations and institutions to reduce the risk of local disasters. Believers thus receive the necessary psychological and financial assistance and support from religious communities during all phases of disaster management. Therefore, the subject of this paper is a comprehensive examination relationship between the degree of religiosity of the population and how this connection impacts the policy of reducing disaster risk. The aim of the research is to scientifically describe the nature of the relationship between the degree of religiosity of citizens and different segments of disaster risk reduction.

Author Biography

Vladimir M. Cvetković, The University of Belgrade, Faculty of Security Studies, Gospodara Vučića 50, Belgrade, Serbia

Assoc. Prof. (Disaster Risk Management) at the University of Belgrade, Faculty of Security, and has been engaged in research in the field of disaster studies for 15 years. He has published over 250 research papers and 20 scientific monographs. He is the founder of the Scientific Professional Society for Disaster Risk Management in Serbia, the International Institute for Disaster Research, and Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Disaster Risk Management.

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Published

2023-06-29

How to Cite

Cvetković, V. M., Romanić, S., & Beriša, H. (2023). Religion Influence on Disaster Risk Reduction: A case study of Serbia. International Journal of Disaster Risk Management, 5(1), 66–81. https://doi.org/10.18485/ijdrm.2023.5.1.6

Issue

Vol. 5 No. 1 (2023): International Journal of Disaster Risk Management (IJDRM)

Section

Articles

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