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World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, 17 June 2022

June 17, 2022

Less than a minute

The animal is famously known as the ship of the desert because of its walk, which is much like the motion of a ship at sea. Camels. UAE Camels. Fujairah Observer. — Photo: Tania Rodrigues

Rising up from drought together

Droughts are among the greatest threats to sustainable development, especially in developing countries, but increasingly so in developed nations too. In fact, forecasts estimate that by 2050 droughts may affect over three-quarters of the world’s population.

The number and duration of droughts has increased by 29 percent since 2000, as compared to the two previous decades (WMO 2021). When more than 2.3 billion people already face water stress, this is a huge problem. More and more of us will be living in areas with extreme water shortages, including an estimated one in four children by 2040 (UNICEF). No country is immune to drought (UN-Water 2021).

This year, the theme of the International Day Against Desertification, and Drought “Rising up from drought together”, emphasises the need of an early action to avoid disastrous consequences for humanity and the planetary ecosystems.

UN Press Release