According to World Risk Report 2023, Africa is the highest in drought vulnerability. Further, the report categorized ten countries in Africa with highest vulnerability, which include Somalia, South Sudan, Central Africa Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Niger, Mali, Mozambique and Ethiopia.
The report further says, in Northern Africa, Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia are mostly affected by drought because they receive below average rainfall and above average temperatures. Scenarios impact Water use restrictions, wheat import subsidy and high food prices among others.
In Zambia, Malawi and Zimbabwe at the Southern Africa, declared drought a national state of emergency. Due to Elnino driven prolonged dry spells and below average rainfall and very high temperatures. The drought situation impacted agriculture and water sectors. Other countries in Southern Africa include Botswana, Angola, Mozambique, Lesotho, and South Africa.
Speaking during a webinar designed to look at Continental Application of the Enhanced Drought Watch, and enhancing early warning systems, which brought together experts and journalist from IGAD region, Early Warning Expert for Drought, AMHEWAS programme Africa Union Commission – AUC, Viola Otieno, said, there should be Policy coherence, Integrated policies, Develop Common African Position on multi-sectoral drought management, global frameworks, Trans-boundary risk management, governments should embrace Climate and DRR Financing, coordinate and collaborate in trans-boundary interventions.
During the Unveiling of the Enhanced East African Drought Watch, to Strengthening Early Warning Systems in the IGAD Region and how to apply the system in Disaster Risk Reduction, Agriculture, and Food Security, Ahmed Sulaiman, said, shed light on how to How Enhanced Drought Watch supports disaster risk reduction efforts in the East Africa region.
Early Warning: Provide early warning alerts for drought conditions, enabling governments, humanitarian organizations, and communities to take proactive measures to mitigate the impact of drought-related disasters.
Preparedness Planning: The availability of timely and accurate information from the drought watch system allows governments and disaster management authorities to develop and implement preparedness plans tailored to the specific needs and vulnerabilities of at-risk communities.
Vulnerability Mapping: Can be used to create vulnerability maps, which highlight areas susceptible to drought-related disasters and inform the prioritization of interventions aimed at reducing vulnerability and building resilience and, Coordination and Collaboration: By serving as a platform for data sharing and collaboration among regional and international stakeholders, the system promotes coordination of disaster risk reduction efforts, enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of response activities.
Speaking on how application in agriculture and food security, including its role in enhancing resilience and informing decision-making, Sulaiman noted that, Early warning systems can be used to effectively detect, monitor, and prevent food production disruptions, thus ensuring a contribution to increasing the resilience to food crises in affected countries. Also Input for detecting anomalies in food production, while informing humanitarian and food security policies about upcoming shocks on food supply, possibly leading to food crises, and allowing early response planning.
Credit: ICPAC?IGAD
Support to food security assessments: Provide indirect evidence to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) -hard-to-reach areas where no other data can be collected.
Application in agriculture and food security, including its role in enhancing resilience and informing decision-making, according to Igad Climate Prediction and Application Centre ICPAC, says the model can enable farmers practice Crop Planning, whereby farmers can use the information provided by the drought watch system to adjust their crop planting and harvesting schedules, choosing crops that are more resilient to drought conditions.
Do Livestock Management, where Pastoralist/agro-pastoralists can make informed decisions about herd management, such as adjusting herd sizes, providing supplementary feeding, and identifying alternative grazing areas. Market Stability, Anticipating drought conditions allows for better management of food stocks and prices, helping to stabilize markets and prevent food shortages and price spikes.
Natural resources management, contributing to longer term development, the protection of biodiversity and food systems sustainability that reduce the risk of food insecurity and Climate Change Adaptation, By monitoring drought patterns and trends over time, the system contributes to the understanding of climate change impacts on agriculture and food security, informing adaptation strategies for the future.
