Global drought crisis deepens

The most affected regions are already dealing with warming trends, population pressures and fragile infrastructure

- Sheree Bega

Some of the most widespread and damaging drought events in recorded history have unfolded since 2023, a new UN-backed report has found.

The analysis on worldwide drought hotspots, prepared by the US National Drought Mitigation Centre and the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, found that global climate patterns in 2023 and last year set the stage for severe drought impacts worldwide that are continuing into this year.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2023 and last year were the two warmest years on record globally. On 22 July last year, Earth experienced its hottest day ever recorded.

High temperatures and a lack of precipitation had widespread ramifications in 2023 and last year, such as water shortages, low food supplies and power rationing, the report said.

"In parts of Africa, tens of millions of people faced food insecurity, malnutrition and displacement as thousands of human lives were lost due to drought-induced food shortages."

Since 2023, global droughts have had widespread effects that exposed and worsened existing social, economic and environmental vulnerabilities.

"Understanding which areas and populations were most affected, and why, is essential for informing future mitigation strategies, improving resilience planning and supporting equitable policy responses," the report said.

The analysis synthesised information from hundreds of government, scientific and media sources to highlight effects within the most acute drought hotspots in Africa (Somalia, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Botswana, Namibia); the Mediterranean (Spain, Morocco, Türkiye); Latin America (Panama, Amazon Basin); South-East Asia and beyond.

The 2023-2024 El Niño event amplified already harsh climate change impacts, triggering dry conditions across major agricultural and ecological zones.