Public forum on catastrophic floods - statement by Sálvano Briceño, Director, UNISDR

A Japanese proverb says, who controls the river controls the world, for example. Likewise, a Chinese proverb says, who controls the ‘Huang He’ River controls the nation. These proverbs tell us not only how important and difficult it has been to protect lives and property from water but also how important it has been to wisely use water as resources since the beginning of human history.