The UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) on December 1, 2023 launched ‘Global Drought Snapshot’ report at COP28 in collaboration with International Drought Resilience Alliance (IDRA) at Dubai, United Arab Emirates .
- The report is based on reporting by 101 Parties to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).
- UNCCD is one of three Conventions originated at the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. The other two address climate change (UNFCCC) and biodiversity (UN CBD).
Key findings
- At least 23 countries, including India, declared drought emergencies at a national or sub-national level during 2022-23.
- Few, if any, hazards claim more lives, cause more economic loss and affect more sectors of society than drought.
- 1.84 billion people were drought stricken, out of which 4.7 per cent were exposed to severe or extreme drought.
- An emergency was declared in 23 countries due to the impact of drought. Of these, Europe had the highest number (8) — Spain, Italy and the United Kingdom declaring it in April, May and July 2023, respectively, while Greece, Portugal, Romania and Serbia in July 2022.
- Drought and drought-like conditions spread to many European countries both in 2022 and 2023.
- In 2022, the Europe recorded its largest overall drought impacted area — over 630,000 square kilometres, as opposed to the 167,000 square kilometres annual average between 2000 and 2022.
- In recent years, droughts have expanded their territory and intensity.
- United States and Canada also declared drought emergencies in January 2022 and March 2023, respectively.
- In Asia, five countries declared drought — India and Sri Lanka in August 2023, Indonesia in July 2023, Kazakhstan and China in April and May 2022, respectively.
