A Message from the Executive Director
The Global Heritage Fund (GHF) takes a proactive approach to conserving our global cultural treasures. With the accelerating destruction of irreplaceable archaeological sites and ancient townscapes, timely support by the Global Heritage Fund and our partners can make all the difference in the world. Providing the right expertise at the right time, GHF is a tireless advocate for our Global Heritage sites.

We have witnessed the deliberate destruction of priceless monuments for political reasons. Looters rob and vandalize sacred tombs while ancient structures are bulldozed to make way for urban development. The pressures of poverty, population, and pollution are especially fierce in developing countries, which often lack the infrastructure to safeguard cultural properties. At the same time, the inexorable force of erosion marches forward. In the absence of planned conservation, remnants of prehistoric civilizations are left to decay until time erases all evidence of their existence.

• Neglect - Decay Due to Exposure/ Inadequate Maintenance
• Man-Made Disasters- War, Demolition, Vandalism/Looting
• Natural Disasters- Flooding, Earthquakes, Fire
• Vegetative/Animal Damage/Soil Erosion
• Geotechnical Instability/Structural Damage
• Population Pressure/Industrialization/Unchecked Urban Growth
• Poor Planning- Site Conservation and Urban Areas
• Negative Effects of Unplanned Tourism