Drought
Drought affected about 90 million people each year between 2000 and 2006. Drought is a particular concern in Africa. According to the International Panel on Climate Change, the areas suitable for agriculture, the length of growing seasons and yield potential, particularly along the margins of semi-arid and arid areas, are expected to decrease. By 2020, between 75 and 250 million people are projected to suffer greater water stress due to climate change in the region. Agricultural production and access to food in many African countries and regions is therefore projected to be severely compromised by climate variability and change. Increased drought hazard and decreasing availability of food and water could lead to scenarios of greatly increased risk that could stretch existing humanitarian response systems.
Drought preparedness and mitigation in the Near East
The Near East region is exposed to recurrent droughts that affect food security, damage natural resources and hinder overall economic development. The FAO Regional Office for the Near East helps countries devise drought-management strategies and include prevention and mitigation in regular development plans.
Pastoral and livestock strategies
Pastoral systems used to cope well and in an environmentally sustainable manner with the harsh and erratic ecological conditions of arid and semi-arid regions. However, land degradation, reduced mobility and population increases have left people more vulnerable to drought. Many of FAO’s drought resistance activities are geared towards pastoral systems.
Examples of FAO response to drought:
