Programme for the High-level Meeting on

National Drought Policy

Dr. Donald A. Wilhite, Director and Professor

School of Natural Resources

University of Nebraska-Lincoln U.S.A.

Breaking the Hydro-illogical Cycle:An Institutional Challenge for Drought Management

Crisis Management

If you do what you’ve always

done, you’ll get what

you’ve always got.

The Cycle of Disaster Management

reactive

Crisis management treats the symptoms, not the causes.

The Cycle of Disaster Management

proactive

reactive

Crisis management treats the symptoms, not the causes.

Risk management increases coping capacity, builds resilience.

Types of Drought Policy Responses

Post-impact government interventions—relief measures (emergency assistance)

Pre-impact government programs—mitigation measures to reduce vulnerability and impacts, including insurance programsAre insurance programs financially viable and do they

promote risk-based management?

Preparedness plans and policies, organizational frameworks and operational arrangements

HMNDP Program OverviewWelcoming session (half day): Senior UN and

country officialsScientific sessions (3 days), including

8 scientific plenary sessions10 scientific parallel (or breakout) sessions on specific

application areas2 roundtable discussionsfinal session to summarize the results of the parallel or

breakout sessions and review the HMNDP DeclarationHigh-level segment (1.5 days): Heads of Agencies

and government officials to consider and approve a Conference Declaration

HMNDP Science Program Overview

Drought Monitoring, Early Warning, and Information SystemsDrought Prediction

Vulnerability and Impact AssessmentEnhancing Preparedness and Mitigation

Drought risk reductionRegional emphasisSectoral impact emphasis

Relief and ResponseConstructing a Framework for National Drought

Policy

Monday

Opening Ceremony & Keynote Address

Drought Monitoring, Early Warning and

Information Systems

Implementation of Drought Monitoring and Early Warning Systems

Parallel Sessions• Reg. DMCs• Drought

Education• Advocacy

Tuesday

Case 1: Drought Preparedness

Regional Perspectives

U.S. Africa

Case 2: Sectoral Impacts

Regional Perspectives

Australia and Spain

Asia and South Africa

Parallel Sessions

WednesdayConstructing a Framework for

National Drought Policy

Breakout Groups: Framework for National Drought Policy

Africa South/Central America

Asia SW PacificNorth America Europe

Thursday

Breakout Group Summaries

Discussion of Draft HMNDP Declaration

Ministerial Statements

Friday

Ministerial Statements

HMNDP Declaration Adoption

Closing Address and Statements

Tuesday

Drought Prediction and Predictability: Future Prospects

Vulnerability and Impact Assessment: What is at Risk?

Enhancing Preparedness and Mitigation

Roundtable: Vulnerability and Impact Assessment

Opportunities for Discussion of Key Points

and IssuesProgram elements

Plenary sessionsRoundtable conversations w/discussionsParallel sessions w/discussionBreakout groups w/report back

High-level Ministerial statements and discussion

Poster sessions around conference themesExhibits

Thanks for your attention!Questions?

Donald A. WilhiteSchool of Natural Resources

University of Nebraska-Lincolndwilhite2@unl.edu