During he 1990s, natural disasters-floods, groughts, earthquakes, storms, strong winds, torrential rais, and muudslides-hit the world 500-800 times a year and cost more than $600 billion, more than in the previous four decades combined. Losses in the 1990s were three times those in the 1908s and fifteen times those of the 1950s. 

Natural disaster management provides one of the clearest illustrations of why some global issues are about sharing our humanity. These disasters have grown so in scope and frequency that, like all the issues, they imply responsibilities for global community.