African countries have been urged to consider developing sustainable irrigation schemes for crops and livestock in order to mitigate drought challenges.
Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), Monique Barbut urged the African continent to also explore the cultivation of more drought tolerant crops and promote water harvesting schemes through recycling and reuse of water.
Opening a high-level session of the African Drought Conference on Thursday, Monique Barbut said it is possible to address a drought with tangible solutions.
“We can identify measures to address these risks head-on. Things that can be done at a very practical level to reduce drought risk, started right away and that deliver real and tangible benefits to your communities, ”said Barbut,
“Unless countries change their approach when drought comes and less rain is experienced, the future of about 400 million African farmers who rely on rain-fed subsistence agriculture is in jeopardy,” she added.
Ms Barbut said frankly that people are going to be increasingly forced to decide whether to ride out a drought disaster and then rebuild, or simply leave.
She pointed out that governments are moved by subjective and poliotical considerations when declaring a drought.
Ms Barbut noted that Africa would benefit from an early warning system in all countries, and need to invest in good data and maximise on the available local and traditional knowledge, adding that no amount of early warning will work without action to protect the most vulnerable.
She cited examples from around the world where countries are implementing plans to be prepared.
Ms Barbut noted that progress is starting to happen in Mexico, Brazil, Vietnam and Morocco, who are now implementing drought plans with a strong emphasis on risk mitigation and preparedness.
The African Drought Conference in Windhoek is the first conference focusing on one of the continent’s natural disasters that takes many lives each year and leaves the population in a state of panic and distress.
“With this conference, Africa can recognise that the traditional approach of responding to drought is not viable any more. It has proved to be ineffective far too often. Instead, Africa could lead a proactive drought revolution,” she said.
“Investing in early warning systems and addressing their vulnerabilities head-on, as well as well-planned and coordinated drought action, will have a positive ripple effect across sectors and across borders,” added Barbut.
The conference under the theme ‘Enhancing resilience to drought events on the African continent’ brought together local and international delegates, and ends on Friday.
Most Africans would rather pray to their invisible master that hides behind the clouds in the sky for “miracles” than prepare for disasters!
When KK told us that the mines were a fickle business and we must invest in the land, we called him a dictator.