The purpose of the Guideline on monitoring and reporting the impact of sand and dust storms through the Sendai Framework Monitoring developed by the UNESCAP Asia and Pacific Centre for Development of Disaster Information Management (APDIM) is to support the Member States’ in their efforts to monitor and report the impacts of sand and dust storms (SDS) through the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015-2030) monitoring process. As such, the Guideline aims to enhance Member States’ capacities to collect and gather historical data on the impacts of SDS and build an evidence base that can be used for policy and decision-making.

The target audience includes government officials working on sand and dust storms and on the monitoring of the Sendai Framework in Asia and the Pacific. Furthermore, the Guideline may provide useful inputs for implementing partners in the region and other actors supporting data collection and monitoring and reporting of the impact of SDS. While the Guideline focuses specifically on the Asia-Pacific region, it can be used by all countries affected by SDS who wish to report their impact through the Sendai Framework monitoring.

The document adopts a hazard-specific approach to the Sendai Framework monitoring and should be used as a complementary resource to the comprehensive UNDRR Technical Guidance for monitoring and reporting against global targets of the Sendai Framework (2018). The Guideline is divided in four chapters. Chapter 1 gives an overview of the Sendai Framework monitoring process and its linkages with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Chapter 2 puts forth key elements for organizing the monitoring and reporting of SDS impacts. The section addresses practical aspects for collecting and collating data on SDS impact and suggests a four-step approach for reporting SDS impact using the Sendai monitoring process. Chapter 3 comprises an overview and specific guidance notes for each of the seven Sendai Framework targets. It provides information on the key issues to take into account in the collection of SDS data, the types of data that should be collated, and potential stakeholders to engage with. Finally, Chapter 4 proposes five complementary custom targets and indicators for monitoring and reporting additional SDS impact, using the SFM ‘custom target’ feature.

The UNCCD Policy Advocacy Framework for SDS (ICCD/COP(13)/19) underscores precautionary approach in enhancing preparedness and resilience of countries and communities. Consistent with disaster risk reduction principles, the Policy Advocacy Framework presents a three pillars approach in addressing SDS risks, including (i) early warning systems; (ii) preparedness and resilience; (iii) anthropogenic source mitigation, and cross-cutting action areas (UNCCD, 2017).

Furthermore, the UNCCD Parties adopted their first substantial decision (decision 31/COP.13) where the UNCCD recommended to mainstream SDS into disaster risk reduction and to integrate SDS into multi-hazard management plans for disaster risk at all levels and across all sectors. This decision also puts emphasis on the critical need for
coordination among institutions and sectors at the national level.
Integrating SDS into DRR strategies and plans can contribute to mainstreaming SDS into sectoral policies with a view to preventing and mitigating their negative impact. In particular, SDS risks need to be included in national and local risk-assessments in order to inform strategies and plans in the health, agriculture, land management, ICT, transportation and energy sectors.