Context: During the 27th COP, Leaders from over 25 countries and 20 organisations recently launched the International Drought Resilience Alliance.

About Drought 

• It represents the most serious hazard to livestock and crops in nearly every part of the world. 

• It ranks among the greatest threats to sustainable development, especially in developing countries, but increasingly so in developed nations too.

• The 2022 droughts in Europe, United States, Australia, Chile, the Horn and southern Africa, showed that no country or region is immune to their impacts.

Need

• The recent occurrences of droughts have been more frequent and severe. According to the Drought in Numbers report compiled by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), the frequency of droughts has surged by 29 per cent since 2000. 

• Over 55 million people are affected each year. This year’s droughts in Europe, the United States, Australia, Chile, the Horn and Southern Africa showed that no country can escape the impact of droughts.

• Drought-prone districts in India comprise nearly 1/6th of this country in terms of area. These areas receive an annual rainfall of around 60 cm or less.

Key Points

• Spain and Senegal led 30 countries and 20 organisations to launch the International Drought Resilience Alliance (IDRA) at the 27th Conference of Parties (COP27) in Egypt.

• The IDRA was first announced by Spain at the 77th session of the UN General Assembly in September 2022, to be officially launched at the UNFCCC.

• Aim: To accelerate action and help countries be better prepared for future droughts.

• Objective: To make drought resilience a priority in development and cooperation programmes, along with the sharing of innovative practices, technology and funding.

• The 30-country alliance is an effective grouping to make drought resilience a priority in national development and share technology and expertise with each other.