Transboundary Flood Risk Management

Floods are natural phenomena that are necessary for the survival and health of the eco-system. Floodplains have historically attracted socio-economic development and continue to support high densities of human population. This is particularly important where land resources suitable for human development are scarce. Especially in arid and semi-arid areas, flood waters represent a vital water resource. Floods can, however, also lead to wide-spread damage, health problems and the loss of human life. Transboundary flood risk management enables sharing and redistributing risks and resources. This publication is based on the practical experience from 10 river basins in the UNECE region, and gives analysis of situations, problems, challenges, and possible solutions.