Humanitarian management of drought needs better water security data

Area of Science:

• Climate Science
• Humanitarian Studies
• Water Resource Management

Background:

• Droughts are a major cause of humanitarian crises in arid regions.
• Current early warning systems often prioritize food security over water security data.
• The 2020-24 drought in the Horn of Africa caused significant excess deaths, highlighting system gaps.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess management barriers and information needs for drought response.
• To emphasize the critical role of water security data in humanitarian financing and early warning systems.
• To advocate for proactive, water-focused interventions to mitigate drought impacts.

Main Methods:

• Conducted 42 expert interviews focusing on drought management and information needs.
• Analyzed data from the 2020-24 drought in the Horn of Africa.
• Examined the relationship between water security indicators and humanitarian outcomes.

Main Results:

• Water security data (availability and access) is essential for proactive humanitarian response.
• Monitoring water quality, levels, and prices informs effective mitigation strategies.
• Integrating water and food insecurity analysis strengthens the case for water supply interventions.

Conclusions:

• Humanitarian financing and early warning systems must incorporate comprehensive water security monitoring.
• Proactive water management, informed by data, can prevent excess deaths and mitigate food insecurity.
• Analyzing causal links between water and food insecurity improves the targeting and justification of aid.