Global Campaign on Drought Preparedness and Risk Management and the Integrated Drought Management Programme (Google / IDN)

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http://www.indepthnews.info/index.php/global-issues/1577-before-the-next-drought-wreaks-havoc

Before The Next Drought Wreaks Havoc

By Jutta Wolf | IDN-InDepth NewsAnalysis

BERLIN (IDN) – The growing intensity, frequency and duration of droughts worldwide is a source of acute anxiety to secretariat of UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), which was agreed in the aftermath of the severe drought in the Sahel in the 1970s and 1980s and continues to be key to global efforts to combat desertification.

Together with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the UNCCD therefore organised a High-level Meeting on National Drought Policy in Geneva, Switzerland, to impress on stakeholders that they urgently need to take action.

The consensus declaration of the Geneva meeting stresses the need for national drought management policies. It encourages governments to develop pro-active drought impact mitigation, preventive and planning measures, risk management, fostering of science, appropriate technology and innovation, public outreach and resource management as key elements of effective national drought policy.

The declaration also urges the need to promote greater collaboration to enhance the quality of local/national/regional/global observation networks and delivery systems, and improve public awareness of drought risk and preparedness for drought.

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