New disaster prevention system makes Hungary safer

The new disaster management system which was introduced on January 1 will make Hungary a safer country, Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Monday, addressing a ceremonial staff meeting of the newly integrated organisation.

Orban said that had the system been introduced earlier, disastrous floods or western Hungary's toxic red-sludge spill in 2010 could probably have been avoided.

The prime minister said that public safety is an issue for which not only the government but residents were also responsible. He referred to Hungary's new constitution, which became effective on January 1, and said that each resident was obliged to contribute to community tasks.

The new disaster management system aligns existing organisations into an integrated system, improving cooperation between the fire services, civil defence, and public administration.

(MTI)