Conference of Croatian platform for disaster risk reduction held on Croatian Military Academy

The Conference has been attended by representatives of the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Family, Veterans’ and Intergenerational Solidarity, the academic community, State Geodetic Directorate, Hydro-meteorological Institute, Fire-fighting Association and other agencies and departments, which in any way has been involved in the response to emergencies and disasters, as well as representatives of emergency and rescue services from countries in the region.

The conference was opened by the envoy of the Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor, Interior Minister Tomislav Karamarko. He stressed the importance of prevention and developed legislation in reduction of the risk of disasters, continuous development and strengthening of disaster response and the importance of international cooperation. “In response to disasters the world has decided to work together. Protection and rescue system can not be built in isolation. Disasters know no boundaries and that is why the international cooperation and joint action on disaster risk reduction is necessary”, Minister Karamarko said. He noted that Croatia actively participates in numerous international institutions and initiatives dealing with disaster risk reduction.

On behalf of the MOD and CAF participants were welcomed by the Deputy Chief of General Staff Rear Admiral (UH) Zdenko Simicic, who said that the Croatian Armed Forces were ready to give support in response to disasters at any time, which CAF already confirmed in practice.

Director of the National Protection and Rescue Directorate Damir Trut in his opening address said that the establishment of national platforms justify their existence only because of huge number of hundreds of natural disasters per year worldwide. He also noted that at this conference 45 papers of eminent Croatian experts in the field of fighting against natural disasters were received.

Management in emergency conditions, climate change, early warning and capacity development for response to emergencies and disasters, awareness of hazards and development of safety culture, international cooperation in disaster risk reduction are just some of the issues to be discussed during the two-day session. It is expected that the second day of the conference will be attended by the UN Assistant Secretary General of the disaster risk reduction, Margaret Wahlstrom.