Drought is a natural hazard that can occur anywhere in the world that experiences dryness. Climate change is making it more frequent and severe, and its impacts on people are growing. Drought causes a wide range of risks and impacts that can have far-reaching implications on society, the economy and the environment.
The severity of drought depends on a number of factors, including the type of drought, the amount of precipitation that is received, and how long the drought has been occurring. Different regions and sectors have their own unique vulnerabilities to drought, based on factors like the ability of the land to capture and hold water, the amount of water used in agricultural production, and the availability of other sources of water.
Agriculture is the most affected sector in most countries, with impacts on water supply and use, food security, and rural livelihoods. In developing countries, these impacts can halt or reverse progress towards food security and poverty reduction goals. The drought’s impact on the environment can also be a significant factor in driving migration and triggering conflict.
Health effects are numerous and varied. Evidence shows that drought can lead to nutrition-related effects (including malnutrition and mortality), water-related disease (such as E coli, cholera and algal blooms), airborne disease (including silo gas exposure) and vector-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue. However, the evidence base is limited for most health outcomes and most are indirect, as drought-related impacts often happen in combination with other mediating circumstances such as poverty and displacement.
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