Drought affects all sectors of society, from food production to public health, and there is a growing need to help communities, businesses and individuals threatened by drought to plan accordingly. At the Conference of the Parties (decision 29/COP.13), the UNCCD institutions and bodies have been requested to implement a drought initiative in the biennium 2018−2019. A key element of the initiative will be helping countries to build drought resilience by implementing concrete actions for drought preparedness. By being prepared and acting early, we can boost the resilience of people, communities and ecosystems to drought.

The countries that have expressed interest in developing a national drought plan will receive assistance from the UNCCD secretariat, which will provide a drought expert for each country to help with enhancing national drought preparedness and planning.

Recalling Decision 36/COP. 11, the Namib declaration, which calls for increased emphasis on mitigating the impacts of droughts and the development of national drought policies to enhance long-term drought preparedness and resilience at all levels, including government stakeholders and farmers with special reference to vulnerable communities;
Also recalling Decision 9/COP. 12 which highlights the importance of cross-sectoral collaboration to develop and implement national drought plans that can be implemented at local levels to build societal resilience to the impacts of drought while also enhancing land rehabilitation bringing about SLM, reducing biodiversity loss and enhancing the provision of ecosystem services;

Also recalling Decision 29/COP. 13 which requests the secretariat and appropriate UNCCD institutions and bodies, including the Science-Policy Interface, within their respective mandates to:
(a) Implement the drought initiative for the biennium 2018−2019 which proposes action on: (i) drought preparedness systems; (ii) regional efforts to reduce drought vulnerability and risk; and (iii) a toolbox to boost the resilience of people and ecosystems to drought;
(b) Support countries to develop and implement national drought management policies, as well as the establishment and strengthening of comprehensive drought monitoring, preparedness and early warning systems;