Hungary’s Disaster Management Tasks in the Light of the Challenges of Defence and Security in the 21st Century

Every constitutional state has a duty to protect its citizens. It is with this duty in mind that it shall establish its system of State and Law, build up its system of public administration and set up the organisations through which it shall carry out, and perform its protective function. The security environment has changed in recent decades, prompting states to review their defence functions and respond to new challenges as quickly as possible. Hungary has also had to face the security threats of the global world, which has resulted in the restructuring of its defence management system to be able to intervene effectively, rapidly, and with unified organisational management against threats to both the state and its citizens. It is essential to build up the resilience of a nation by preventing natural and industrial disasters, armed attacks and extraordinary events, by preparing society, by establishing appropriate legislation, and by strengthening and coordinating the public administration system. To this end, Hungary gives priority to the development of the population’s defence awareness, the high level of professional preparedness of state, municipal, and other organisations involved in defence tasks and their personnel, their rapid and effective intervention and the smooth operation of vital systems.