Drought and desertification - a growing problem

Drought is not unusual to Sri Lanka. We face drought as well as flood situations in different parts of the country. Droughts are increasingly receiving global attention, and a day which will focus especially on it is the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, observed on June 17.

The event is a reminder that drought and desertification can be tackled effectively and that solutions are possible, if only the key tools to achieve these goals - strengthened community participation and co-operation at all levels - are forthcoming. This year's event is especially important with 2006 being declared as the International Year of Deserts and Desertification.

Droughts are the most far-reaching of all natural disasters. Between 1991 and 2000, they had been responsible for over 280,000 deaths and losses worth billions of dollars. Some droughts have lasted over 15 years, and wherever they happen, they are associated with declines in Gross Domestic Product and stock market activity.

However, droughts are not a new phenomenon the world is facing. Africa's arid (harsh) zones have been getting progressively drier over the past 5,000 years. What's new is the pressure put on by the increasing number of people and livestock.

Areas north of the Equator are suffering seriously with deserts in the semi-arid areas of West Africa expanding at an annual rate of five kilometres. Forty six per cent of Africa is affected by desertification, with 35 per cent of this area being at high risk. It affects over 485 million people living along desert margins.

Drought can be classified into three types - meterological (lack of precipitation/water vapour in the air), hydrological (lack of water in rivers and water bearing rock or soil) and agricultural (when conditions are unable to sustain agricultural or livestock production).

The definition of a drought could vary from country to country; for instance, in England, three weeks without rain could be considered as a problem situation, whereas this period would be much longer in most other countries.

The World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought was declared by the United Nations General Assembly in 1994 to mark the anniversary of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).

This Convention plays a key role in the fight against deserts and desertification, which lead to poverty, famine and the destruction of eco-systems. It currently has 191 members.