Natural disasters in China was expected in 1996. This yield was anticipated despite torrential summer rains throughout China that flooded 32,500 square kilometres (8 million acres) of cropland, caused thousands of deaths, left millions homeless, and cost billions of yuan in damage. The Yellow River crested at its highest recorded level, inspiring fears of a catastrophic dike breach. Nevertheless, over the past 50 years, natural disasters on average had reduced China's harvests by approximately 1% annually. Work proceeded on the world's largest flood-control and hydroelectric project, the controversial Three Gorges Dam on the Chang Jiang (Yangtze River) above Yichang. Chinese planners were considering huge
National Disasters Management Institute natural disasters. The INGC prepares for and responds to both natural disasters, such as droughts, floods, and tropical cyclones—the three natural hazards to which Mozambique is most vulnerable—and man-made disasters, such as the 2008 South Africa riots. The INGC coordinates disaster management efforts with and receives support from public and private institutions, non-governmental organisations, and international organisations, including Concern Worldwide, the government of Germany, and the United Nations. Ad Melkert, the Associate Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme, which provides assistance to the INGC through its Bureau for Crisis Prevention and Recovery, lauded the institute in March 2008 as