WMO DROUGHT INITIATIVES

WMO DROUGHT INITIATIVES:
High-Level Meeting on National Drought Policy (HMNDP)
and
Integrated Drought Management Programme (IDMP)

Drought is widely recognized as a slow creeping natural hazard that occurs due to the natural climatic variability. In recent years, concern has grown world-wide that droughts may be increasing in frequency due to climate change. Responses to droughts in most parts of the world are generally reactive in terms of crisis management and are known to be untimely, poorly coordinated and disintegrated. Consequently, the economic, social and environmental impacts of droughts have increased significantly worldwide. Because of their long-term socio-economic impacts, droughts are by far the most damaging of all natural disasters.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Fourth Assessment Report (IPCC, 2007) stated that the world indeed has been more drought-prone during the past 25 years. Whether due to natural climate variability or climate change, there is an urgent need to develop better drought management strategies that are based on scientific knowledge and also to ensure broader social responses to manage the risks and mitigate the effects of droughts.

In order to address the drought issues, WMO is implementing two initiatives:

• The High Level Meeting on National Drought Policy (HMNDP) in March 2013 and
• The Integrated Drought Management Program (IDMP).

In 2011, the 16th WMO Congress established the Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS). Both of the drought initiatives will contribute to the GFCS by engaging users of drought information including policy makers, in order to highlighted areas where drought information needs to be improved. THe HMNDP is being organizing in collaboration with UNCCD.