An evaluation of the alignment of drought policy and planning guidelines with the contemporary disaster risk reduction agenda
<p>Drought is a major global challenge, causing significant socio-economic and environmental impacts. A paradigm shift from crisis to risk management is advocated for to reduce the impacts of droughts and to build the resilience of societies and water and environmental systems to drought. A nu...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Copernicus Publications
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences |
| Online Access: | https://nhess.copernicus.org/articles/25/2155/2025/nhess-25-2155-2025.pdf |
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| Summary: | <p>Drought is a major global challenge, causing significant socio-economic and environmental impacts. A paradigm shift from crisis to risk management is advocated for to reduce the impacts of droughts and to build the resilience of societies and water and environmental systems to drought. A number of drought policy and planning guidelines are developed and used to support the transition from crisis to risk management and enhancing resilience. However, research is lacking on critical reflection, evaluation, and updating of the available drought guidelines. For example, there is no study assessing the correspondence of the available guidelines to the contemporary disaster risk reduction agenda. Therefore, this study evaluates 12 sets of drought policy and planning guidelines for their alignment with the four priority areas of the <i>SENDAI framework for disaster risk reduction 2015–2030</i>. A qualitative evaluation matrix was developed and used in the assessment. The priorities and associated thematic elements examined were scored in the range of 0–100 and were classified into the very low (0–10), low (11–30), medium-low (31–50), medium-high (51–70), high (71–90), and very high (91–100) categories. Most guidelines achieved (medium-)high to very high scores on the data and information, risk assessment, and communication and dissemination elements associated with priority 1 (understanding disaster risk), while mostly very low to low coverage was found for science–policy–practice dialogue, local knowledge and practices, and research and development. Most guidelines earned high scores on strengthening disaster risk governance to manage disaster risk (priority 2), notably for strategies and plans, coordination mechanisms, community representation, and policy and governance. In contrast, most elements under priority 3 (investing in disaster risk reduction) were classified in the low to medium categories, which include financial allocation, risk transfer, mainstreaming drought risk reduction into land use and rural-development planning, business resilience and protection of livelihoods, and health and safety. Most elements under priority 4 (enhancing disaster preparedness) scored in the medium-low to medium-high ranges, as sufficient information was lacking on multi-hazard early-warning systems; post-disaster recovery, rehabilitation, and reconstruction; and the resilience of critical infrastructure. Furthermore, the study outlined several strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats pertaining to the guidelines examined. In general, the study reveals an urgent need to better align drought policy and planning guidelines with the contemporary disaster risk reduction agenda outlined in the SENDAI framework. The findings of this study can be instructive in designing the next generation of drought guidelines in support of an accelerated transition towards drought risk reduction and management and in building resilient societies and ecosystems under a changing climate and increasing anthropogenic pressures.</p> |
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| ISSN: | 1561-8633 1684-9981 |