Module 3:Drought Risk Management Framework

Jan HassingUNEP-DHI CENTRE

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Goal and objectives of the session

At the end of the session the participants will:

Know the main elements required for a drought risk management framework

Understand the roles of policy, governance, risk identification and early warning, awareness and knowledge management, preparedness and early warning in effective drought risk management

Understand the importance of pro-active drought risk management

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Drought Risk Management required – a wake up call

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Presentation outline

A few basic concepts

The UNISDR Drought Risk Management Framework – Unpacking the 5 principles•Policy and governance•Drought risk identification, risk monitoring and early warning•Awareness and knowledge management•Reducing underlying factors of drought risk•Enhancing mitigation measures and preparedness

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Root causes of droughts

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Droughts and IWRM

IWRM – Integrated Water Resources Management- during drought, whatever water is left has to be managed according to the IWRM principles – reallocation, reduction in allocations -

The three pillars of IWRM: Enabling Environment, Institutional Roles and Mangement Instruments are valid as a structure

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Why is drought so difficult to come to grips with Slow on-set – no universal definition –

when does it start – when does it finish – when to declare emergency (Elephant)

Time scale – months – years Time lag of impacts Early warning – difficult to find

descriptive indices Large areal coverage – many diverse

”downstream” impacts

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Why is drought so difficult to come to grips with No visibility (diffcult to raise public

interest and empathy and thus funds) Droughts differs in characteristics

between climate regimes Impacts are locally defined by unique

economic, social and environmental characteristics, ”domino effects”

In contrast to floods, drought is dealing with something, which is not there (intangible)

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The UNISDR drought risk management framework

Why this framework?“because more pro-active actions are needed, not only reactions” “Prevention is better than cure”

Based on Hyogo Framework for Action

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The 5 main elements of the UNISDR framework

1. Policy and governance  

2. Drought risk identification, impact assessment, and early warning

3. Drought awareness and knowledge management

5. Strengthening preparedness

4. Reducing underlying factors of drought risk

Is UNISDR being implemented in your

country? Do other frameworks

exist? How do they differ?

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Governance and policy – why is it important?

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Policy and Governance – guidance to consider

Political commitment and alliances Vertical and horizontal levels:

transboundary, national, RBO, local authority, community

Mainstreaming Drought Risk Management in sustainable development

Policy into practice requires decentralization and community participation in planning and implementation

Capacity building and knowledge development (continuous – ”use it or loose it”) and at all levels

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Governance Setting up a stakeholders coordination mechanism

National governments

Community organisations

The scientific community

Local government

Private sector

The media

International bodies

Civil society organisations

Regional institutions and organisations

?

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Policy and Governance – guidance to consider

Preparedness plan for drought risk management incl. impacts

Preparedness and mitigation preceeds emergency response (relief)

Preparedness incl risk assessment and monitoring of progressing of drought

Long term efforts / investments needed

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Main components of a drought policy

1. Provide for effective participation

2. Highlight the root causes of the issues related to drought at all scales

3. Strengthen the capacities of government and communities at all scales

4. Incorporate both short and long-term strategies

5. Link drought early warning with mitigation

and response actions

7. Develop cooperation and coordination in a spirit of partnership

8. Designate agencies and stakeholders responsible

9. Strengthen drought preparedness and management

6. Allow for modifications to be made in response to changing circumstances

Sure glad the hole isn’t at our end.

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Water conservation and rainwater harvesting as coping tools in drought risk management

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Drought risk identification, risk monitoring and early warning – guidance to consider Drought risk is a function of hazard and

vulnerability (human, economic, environmental). Exposure is a function of intensity, area coverage, frequency

Capacity is essential to reduce vulnerability

Impact assessment, priorities, socio-economic considerations

Monitoring and early warning can result in early adaptation (save water, fill reservoirs, dig wells, etc.)

Climate change will affect drought risks

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Awareness and knowledge management

“Knowledge is power”

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Awareness, knowledge management and education – guidance to consider

Awareness on prevention and resilience can reduce risks (and give large savings, monetary and in human suffering)

Awareness creation through dialogues, networks, stakeholder fora

Public awareness programs with engagement of media (radio, TV, newspapers, posters, pamphlets etc)

Education (school and adult) Training in combination with extension

services

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Awareness challenges

Drought must be recognized as a natural hazard, not just as a natural event

And as a natural part of climate not simply as a rare and random event

To erase misunderstandings about drought and

society’s capacity to mitigate its effects

To convince policy and other decision makers that

investments in mitigation are more cost effective than post-impact

assistance or relief programmes.

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Reducing underlying factors of drought risk – guidance to consider

Reduce vulnerability / increase resilience Effective natural resource management,

social and economic development practices and land use

Reflect factors that reduce vulnerability in poverty reduction strategies, development plans, sector plans and programmes and environmental and natural resources strategies

A national platform for practitioners and institutions

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Capacity building for drought risk management

Important questions:• Whom (different groups need different

levels of knowledge – from orientation training to high level technical training)

• What (depending on the function of the institution/group in the framework)

• Which toolbox should be available

• How to monitor capacity – enrollment, tests during training, understanding of implications, use of knowledge in organisation, change of procedures, making a difference on the ground

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Reducing underlying factors of drought risk – guidance to consider

Areas of overlap and synergies between environmental programs and and drought risk reduction strategies (make joint assessments)

Focus on vulnerable groups to reduce impact of droughts most efficiently

Livelihood diversification Recovery planning Insurance mechanisms, microcredits &

financing to accelerate drought recovery process

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Enhancing mitigation measures and preparedness – guidance to consider

Authorities, individuals and communities ready to act and having knowledge, capacity and resources at hand

Prevention, mitigation and preparedness is more rewarding than emergency relief

Both top down and bottom up needed Local needs and indigneous knowledge

(the thinking beeach tree)

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When rains strike too late

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Drought preparedness plan – 10 steps to achieve a policy

1. Appoint drought task force2. Define objectives of drought

preparedness plan3. Seek stakeholder participation4. Inventorize resources anf groups at

risk5. Prepare draft plan

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Drought preparedness plan – 10 steps to achieve a policy

6. Fill scientific and institutional gaps7.Integrate science and policy (evidence based preparedness)8.Publicise plan and build awareness9.Education and training 10.Evaluate and revise drought preparedness plan

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Information management and exchange

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKKo0dHmplk&feature=youtu.be

http://youtu.be/Mpj_EbKdwEo

How can information and knowledge be shared?

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Education and training

Photo top right: (UNISDR; 2011)

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Monitoring of drought progression – monitoring of efficiency of mitigation measures

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Indicators

“Everything that can be counted does not necessarily count; everything that counts cannot necessarily be counted” Albert Einstein

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Drought ????? – Thank you for your attention

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Exercise

In 4 groups discuss and note: functions/actions/interventions needed in the 3 phases of preparedness, mitigation and emergency response in order to minimize drought impacts

Design an institutional/stakeholder framework and allocate the stated functions in an appropriate manner to the best suited member

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Example

Institution Preparedness

Mitigation Emergency Response

Ministry of XXX

Drought resistent cropsEtc…..

RBO YYY Early Warning…Etc…

Relief agency Provision ofFood & shelter Etc….

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Governance Setting up a stakeholders coordination mechanism