Weapons and ammunition kept in safer conditions within Belgrade’s city limits

A partnership between the Ministry of Interior of Serbia, UNDP SEESAC, the United States of America and the European Union enhances safety and security at one of Serbia’s key small arms and light weapons (SALW) and ammunition storage locations.

Safe and secure management of the weapons and ammunition held by armed forces, police and security forces is crucial for providing adequate security for both civilians and security personnel. However, inadequate stockpile security is still one of the means through which weapons and ammunition are diverted to the illicit markets. Unsafe storage can result in explosions, killing and injuring people, as well as damaging facilities and posing threats to the environment.

Due to its proximity to Belgrade’s city limits, “Avala” is a key storage location of the Serbian Ministry of Interior (MoI) used for stockpiling of confiscated SALW and their ammunition. “Avala” storage has been upgraded by UNDP SEESAC and the MoI with the financial assistance of the United States of America (USA) and European Union (EU), with the co-financing of the MoI. The activities implemented resulted in the enhancement of safety and security standards. On 1 March 2019, these works have been handed over to the Ministry of Interior of Serbia in the presence of representatives from the United States of America Embassy in Belgrade, European Union Delegation in Belgrade and UNDP.

The total investment in the “Avala” storage of approximatively USD 700,000 focused on designing and implementing the security upgrades includes construction of security fence with gates, reconstruction of two storage buildings and monitoring room, CCTV system, security doors with locks and access control, steel bars for windows, metal detectors, digitalizing the weapons storage system and rehabilitating the main access road to the storage. In addition, security personnel received advanced training on proper management of SALW and ammunition in their facilities.

UNDP SEESAC is working in South East Europe under the framework of the EU COUNCIL DECISION (CFSP) 2016/2356 and EU COUNCIL DECISION (CFSP) 2018/1788. 

For more information about our work please go to www.seesac.org