Concerted global and regional efforts to mitigate the effects of droughts and associated risks are vital. The unusually strong El Niño in 2015–2016, coupled with record-high temperatures, had a catastrophic impact on rainfall across southern and eastern Africa. It crippled countries from Ethiopia to Zimbabwe and affected as many as 36 million in the region. Namibia experienced its worst harvest in 80 years.

The drought prompted many African countries to declare a state of emergency.

This report highlights six principles for a Drought Resilient and Prepared Africa (DRAPA). It was developed in the framework of the African Drought Conference held inAugust 2016 in Windhoek, Namibia.

The six principles are:
1. Drought policy and governance for drought risk management;
2. Drought monitoring and early warning;
3. Drought vulnerability and impact assessment;
4. Drought mitigation, preparedness and response;
5. Knowledge management and drought awareness
and
6. Reducing the underlying factors of drought risk.