Urban and rural environment as a factor of resilience during the pandemic crisis

Abstract (English)

Social and historical circumstances in the region have influenced the decline of the population's interest in the need to prepare for and respond to emergencies. Many procedures, exercises and various good practices that were previously implemented have ceased to be organized and renewed The first reaction of the population to the pandemic was fear. This fear for the survival of the elementary cell of society - the family and its members was presented in various ways, of which uncertainty was expressed in every environment, from the lack of basic foodstuffs, as well as the lack of basic elements of modern life (regular electricity, water, heating, stable internet connection, waste disposal, disinfection of public areas, etc.). The difference between the resilience of communities in urban and rural areas during the state of emergency in Serbia and the measures of restraint that accompanied it was the subject of research conducted immediately after this period. The research was conducted within the subject Public Health in Emergency and Crisis, at the PhD studies in the field of Disaster and Fire Risk Management, Faculty of Technical Sciences in Novi Sad. 765 respondents participated in the survey, the research methodology was adapted to the situation and is based on voluntary participation, an anonymous questionnaire and appropriate statistical processing. Respondents were asked to complete the questionnaire, according to the situation, via email, Viber or WhatsApp. The research showed that respondents from rural areas had less uncertainty and a better quality of life during the observed period. Out of the total number of respondents, 29% of those who live in urban areas assessed that their quality of life has changed for the worse, and 18% of respondents from rural areas gave such an answer to the same question. When asked if they were worried about the possible lack of food, 29% of respondents from urban areas answered positively, and 18% of respondents from rural areas gave the same answer. Respondents living in rural areas were more satisfied with the work of utility companies. The public health crisis caused by the COVID 19 virus represents a major test for community resilience. The research showed that rural communities showed a higher degree of resilience during the observed period. In the future, Serbia should use new experiences from the crisis and continue the good practice of training, preparation and response to emergencies at the level of local communities and organizations.