Attachments
Executive Summary
Drought is a complex phenomenon that results in significant water shortages and severe impacts on agricultural production, food security, energy production, public health, livelihoods and economies. Drought is a hydrometeorological hazard which can be understood through different disciplinary lenses, giving rise to four primary drought impact categories each with a different set of associated characteristics: meteorological drought, agricultural drought, hydrological drought, and socioeconomic drought.
The South Asia region is heavily reliant on agriculture for its economies, rural livelihoods and food security. Drought frequently impacts the region, highlighting the need for effective drought management, including regular monitoring, forecasting and early warnings, to increase drought resilience.
In response, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) have developed the Regional Drought Risk Management and Mitigation Strategy for South Asia to address critical challenges and strengthen capacities in drought risk management. The Regional Drought Risk Management and Mitigation Strategy has been developed to provide a comprehensive framework for reducing drought risk and mitigating its impacts across South Asia. This strategy focuses on enhancing early warning systems, strengthening institutional capacities and promoting sustainable practices to build resilience against droughts.
The Regional Drought Risk Management and Mitigation Strategy for South Asia consists of five groups of strategic priorities covering: (i) Observation, monitoring, forecasting, early warning; (ii) Scientific research and application; (iii) Governance; (iv) Partnerships and cooperation; and (v) Training and capacity development.
These strategic priorities are in line with the three pillars of integrated drought management promoted by the Integrated Drought Management Programme (IDMP): Pillar 1: Monitoring early warning; Pillar 2: Risk and impact assessment; and Pillar 3: Risk mitigation, preparedness and response. These strategic priorities are composed of 7 priority actions and 31 high-level activities that are reflected in the strategy.
An action plan is proposed for each strategic priority, priority action, high-level activities with several key elements including the time frame (short term, medium term, and long term); priority level (high, medium, low); level (regional/national); and implementation ranking (easy/moderate/ challenging) A robust monitoring and evaluation matrix is also proposed for each strategic priority, priority action, high-level activities with key elements such as key performance indicator (KPI), means of verification (source), and frequency of verification to track progress and assess the effectiveness of interventions.
The Regional Drought Risk Management and Mitigation Strategy for South Asia presents a comprehensive approach to addressing the multifaceted challenges posed by droughts. Through collaborative efforts involving governments, communities and international partners, the strategy seeks to build a drought resilient South Asia capable of effectively managing and mitigating drought risks. The successful implementation of this strategy is crucial for safeguarding the region’s agricultural productivity, water resources and overall socioeconomic stability, paving the way for sustainable development and improved quality of life for its inhabitants.