Drought management strategy for Asia-Pacific FAO initiative

Abstract

Drought is a recurrent feature of countries of Central Asia and the Caucasus, which requires careful management and mitigation in order to forestall costly damage to the economy and population. It is a complex phenomenon with greatly varying impacts depending not only on the magnitude, timing, duration, and frequency of precipitation deficits but also on the differing responses of various soils, plants, and animals to water stress. If governments and communities do not take steps to prepare for and mitigate the effects of drought, damage will be far greater than necessary, and responses to food insecurity and other adverse effects upon the poorest segment of the population will be delayed and possibly inappropriate. Such was the situation during a severe, prolonged drought that took hold in Central Asia and the Caucasus in 2000-01. In the aftermath of the drought, governments and aid organizations, seeking to avoid the significant costs incurred during 2000-01, have expressed a desire to improve drought management and mitigation. There is an opportunity and a need for international organizations including the World Bank to assist them in this endeavor