The Near East and North Africa (NENA) region is mostly dry by nature because of its geographic location and climatic conditions. Around three quarters of the region consist of desert that is unwelcoming to life and normal human activities, with average annual precipitation less than 50 mm, and arid climate where average precipitation is less than 150 mm per annum. The rest is of either semi-arid or Mediterranean climates. Sub-humid and humid climatic conditions exist only in patches of specific coastal areas and relatively high mountains on the sides exposed to prevailing winds.

Country parts that are under desert or arid climates are permanently dry; they should be managed as such, under ‘’dryland management plans’ which would be part of national drought management plans. Drought materializes in a reduction of precipitation from the long-term average that extends over a given space scale for a specific period of time and results in impacts on human activities. Drought is a normal phenomenon in NENA region where it is known to have caused the decline of civilizations and ruling dynasties, mass migrations and famines. However, over the past four decades drought episodes in the region have
gradually become more widespread and prolonged and more frequent, often with devastating socio-economic and environmental impacts. This gradual shift is likely the consequence of climate change.