Guidelines to develop drought management plans

Abstract

The purpose of the Guidelines is to provide countries with a framework for effective and systematic approach to prevent and/or minimize the impacts of drought on people. The Guidelines are the result of the research carried out within the framework of the MEDA-Water project Medroplan that analyses drought and water scarcity management in Mediterranean countries promoting a risk-based preparedness and mitigation approach. The experiences in the development and implementation of drought and water scarcity management plans highlight the success and challenges of coping with drought for societies with different vulnerabilities and emphasize risk-based drought management as a critical approach to mitigate the impacts associated to drought-induced water shortages. Based on these experiences and the current legislation, management, technology and methods for evaluating risk, the Guidelines aim to assist in the development of drought management operational actions that link science and policy, responding to the growing issue of drought preparedness planning, monitoring, and mitigation.