ABSTRACT
Climate change and the potential threat of an increase in frequency and severity of extreme events is also a contributing factor. This chapter expresses that climate change is playing a significant role in driving decisions for countries, communities, and water managers to invest time and resources into drought risk management, specifically directed toward the development of more comprehensive drought monitoring, early warning and information systems, vulnerability assessments, preparedness planning, and national drought policies. Environmental degradation such as desertification is reducing the biological productivity of many landscapes and increasing vulnerability to drought events. The chapter illustrates the cycle of disaster management, depicting the interconnectedness or linkages between crisis and risk management. Natural hazard risk information is rarely if ever considered in development and economic policymaking. Building awareness of the importance of improved drought management today and investing in preparedness planning, mitigation, improved monitoring, and early warning systems and better forecasts will pay enormous dividends now and in the future.
