“Whether because of climate variability or climate change, droughts have a severe impact on water availability and quality, agricultural and energy production, and ecosystem health,” says GWP Executive Secretary Dr Ania Grobicki. “There is an urgent need to develop better drought monitoring and management systems, and for countries to have frameworks in place to manage drought risks through an integrated approach.”
The growing concern worldwide that droughts may be increasing in frequency and severity given changing climatic conditions is being discussed at the HMNDP where a GWP delegation is participating. “The increase in catastrophic events such as droughts and floods will impact lives, livelihoods, land values, and investment incentives, especially in vulnerable areas inhabited by poorer populations,” according to a Briefing Note issued by GWP.
“Drought and water scarcity are not only a result of climate change and variability,” says Dr Grobicki, “but often poor water resources management. This new programme will contribute to national efforts for poverty alleviation through an integrated approach – cutting across sectoral, disciplinary, and institutional jurisdictions – to drought management.”
The IDMP will contribute to the global coordination of drought-related efforts through:
- Better scientific understanding of, and inputs for, drought management;
- Improved knowledge base, with better access to information and products;
- Drought risk assessment, monitoring, prediction, and early warning;
- Policy and planning for drought preparedness and mitigation across sectors; and
- Drought risk reduction and response.
GWP is responding to the climate change challenge through a portfolio of programs and projects that aim at building climate resilience through better water management.
More about the meeting and the new programme.
Photo: Sia Kambou, FAO