Global Drought Snapshot

December 2, 2023

The recently launched report by the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) sheds light on the alarming impact of drought worldwide. The Global Drought Snapshot, released on December 1, 2023, at the beginning of the 28th Conference of Parties (COP28) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Dubai, exposes the devastating consequences of droughts on lives, economies, and various sectors.

Widespread Human Impact

Based on data reported by 101 Parties to the UNCCD, the report reveals that a staggering 1.84 billion people experienced the effects of drought. Among them, 4.7% faced severe or extreme drought conditions. This stark reality underscores the widespread human toll of this natural hazard.

Global Emergency Declaration

Drought’s severity prompted emergency declarations in 23 countries. Notably, Europe faced the highest number of declarations, with Spain, Italy, and the United Kingdom declaring emergencies in 2023. Greece, Portugal, Romania, and Serbia declared emergencies in 2022. The spreading impact of drought reached many European countries, coinciding with their hottest summers.

Expanding Drought Territories

In recent years, droughts have expanded both in territory and intensity. The European Environment Agency’s data shows that in 2022, Europe recorded its largest drought-affected area, surpassing the annual average between 2000 and 2022. The United States and Canada also declared drought emergencies in January 2022 and March 2023, respectively.

Drought’s Global Reach

Asia witnessed drought declarations in India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, and China. Simultaneously, South American countries, including Uruguay, faced drought emergencies. The Horn of Africa experienced its worst drought in four decades, impacting Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia.

Record-Breaking Heat in 2023

The year 2023 set records for extreme heat, with the world breaching the 2 degrees Celsius warming limit on November 17. The Global Drought Snapshot serves as a wake-up call, emphasizing the cascading effects of droughts—from dwindling reservoirs and declining crop yields to biodiversity loss, famines, and serious economic consequences.

Economic Losses

Drought’s silent devastation unfolds silently, often escaping immediate public and political attention. The report underscores the economic losses associated with drought disasters, estimating them to be in the billions of dollars annually. Drought-related crop failures disrupt global food supply chains, leading to food shortages and surging prices.

Global Drought Vulnerability Index 2023

While the report exposes the massive impacts of human-induced droughts, it also reveals a concerning gap in research. Over the last two decades, only 26% of scientific literature has explored society’s influence on drought hazards, with even fewer scholars (10%) retracing the long-term dynamics between society and drought risk.

UNCCD’s Call for Action

The UNCCD report emphasizes the need for immediate public and political responses to drought, a crisis often neglected due to its silent nature. It highlights that 85% of people affected by droughts reside in low- or middle-income countries. The report was launched alongside the International Drought Resilience Alliance, aiming to address the challenges posed by drought at a global level.

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