Need for regional and national drought policies
In terms of water resources management and climate change adaptation, countries in Central and Eastern Europe are sensitive to variability and changing precipitation patters. Future climate scenarios in the region forecast increased frequency and severity of extreme weather events, which will result in the increase of droughts (Climate Change 2007, the Fourth Assessment Report (AR4) of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change-IPCC). Each time a drought occurs, many of the same issues are raised in the region, such as: How much damage was inflicted, on whom, and where? Who is going to pay for it? How can we prevent, or at least reduce damages and their costs in the future?
From reactive to proactive drought management
A central goal of the Integrated Drought Management Programme is to increase the capacity and ability in the Central and Eastern European countries. By enhancing resilience to drought, it will be easier to adapt to climate variability and change.
“Without coordinated national drought policies, nations will continue to respond to drought in a reactive way. What we need are monitoring and early warning systems.” World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Secretary-General Michel Jarraud.