Linking Drought Monitoring Tools using Earth Observation to Decision-Making in Disaster Management and building Resilience

Abstract:

The increased frequency and severity of droughts in Africa and Southeast Asia due to change in global climate necessitate the need for more effective drought planning and mitigation strategies. Understanding the impacts of drought events and their associated vulnerabilities is critical for efforts to mitigate drought impacts and understand how to build resilience in the future. A key factor in reducing the negative impacts of these natural disasters and helping manage food security is improving national and regional drought early warning systems (DEWS) in these regions through the development of seasonal hydroclimatic monitoring and prediction tools that are linked to action-oriented planning. Recently, several researchers are developing drought-monitoring tools integrating climate, satellite and biophysical data. This presentation focusses on recent activities in linking these hybrid drought tools with decision making to enhance national and regional drought early warning systems in the Greater Horn of Africa and Southeast Asia.