Global conference on Preventing Disasters and Minimizing their Consequences at Harvard School of Public Health - address by Sálvano Briceño, Director UNISDR

In today’s globalized world, all nations are equally affected by catastrophic events that take place beyond their borders. Reduced levels of production or infrastructure in one country can limit access to raw materials, energy and labour or can increase the number of environmental refugees and the spread of disease in another. Sooner or later, rich countries will end up having to spend more money responding to disasters in poorer countries if we don’t act now.