European Forum for Disaster Risk Reduction conference begins in Dubrovnik

DUBROVNIK, Oct 1 (Hina) - A conference of the European Forum for Disaster Risk Reduction (EFDRR) began in the southern Adriatic resort of Dubrovnik on Monday under the auspices of Croatian President Ivo Josipovic.

The three-day event drew representatives of 27 European countries, including representatives of 21 disaster risk reduction platforms.

UN secretary-general's envoy Margareta Wahlstrom said that Croatia, which chairs the EFDRR this year, had made considerable progress in the development of institutions over the last five years to prevent disaster risk.

Croatian Interior Minister Ranko Ostojic said Croatia had made considerable progress in preparations in recent years, as seen by the minimal damage done this past summer despite many wildfires.

This summer's wildfires, followed by floods, show that Croatia is not isolated and that the only thing to do about such inevitable events was to prepare as well as possible, he added.