Image Source: UNDRR

As climate change escalates the threat of drought worldwide, experts and policymakers gathered at the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) on September 30 for the Drought Resilience +10 Conference. This event marks a decade since the pivotal High-Level Meeting on National Drought Policy and aims to bolster global resilience against one of the most lethal climate-related hazards.

The conference brings together a diverse array of stakeholders, from scientists to community leaders, to reflect on advancements in drought preparedness and explore actionable solutions for enhancing drought resilience. “Droughts are an insidious and dangerous climate-related hazard,” stated WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo. “They undermine food security and can lead to internal displacement, impacting the environment and economies, while reversing sustainable development gains.”

State of Climate

According to the WMO Atlas of Mortality and Economic Losses from Weather, Climate and Water Extremes, drought caused approximately 650,000 reported deaths globally between 1970 and 2019. Poverty and poor land use further exacerbate vulnerability to drought, intensifying their impacts.

In Africa alone, 1,839 disasters attributed to weather, climate, and water extremes between 1970 and 2021 resulted in 733,585 deaths and $43 billion in economic losses, with droughts accounting for 95% of these fatalities. Recent WMO State of the Climate reports highlight severe impacts, including a prolonged La Niña event that led to five consecutive failed rainfall seasons in the Horn of Africa, triggering a humanitarian crisis in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia in 2023.

As the region transitions to El Niño conditions in 2023-2024, Southern African nations, particularly Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Malawi, are facing heightened drought risks.

Enhanced Drought Resilience

Despite these challenges, progress is being made in integrated drought management. The Integrated Drought Management Programme (IDMP), a collaborative initiative between the WMO and the Global Water Partnership (GWP), works with over 45 partners to provide policy and management guidance for handling droughts.

Success stories underscore the importance of robust drought management policies and early warning systems. Brazil’s Northeast region, which historically suffers from severe droughts, has implemented proactive drought management strategies. Recent policy responses have focused on developing comprehensive systems that integrate early warning mechanisms, sustainable water practices, and climate change scenarios into infrastructure planning.

In the USA, a proactive approach mitigated the effects of a severe water shortage in Washington state in 2024. An early emergency drought declaration allowed communities to access funding for relief measures and implement mitigation strategies, such as securing alternative water supplies.

Conference Themes

Discussions at the Drought Resilience +10 Conference will focus on nine key topics, including drought resilience mechanisms, risk governance, monitoring and forecasting, public-private partnerships, and social inclusion. A high-level closing session will address turning drought resilience challenges into actionable strategies.