Innovative Solution

Drought, Initiative, International, Cooperation, UNESCO

technical

Educational and Capacity Development

International Drought Initiative – IDI

Droughts have several economical, social and environmental impacts, depending on their intensity and duration. Occurrence of droughts is a natural event and it is not specific to a region or climatic regime, and it can occur in different climatic and geographic situations. Unlike floods that have limited coverage areas, droughts usually affect vast regions, and this causes a more widespread and extensive range of impacts which last for a long time. Therefore, droughts affect a large number of populations in comparison with other natural disasters. The experiences in developed and developing countries on drought management has proved that besides the level of development, the impacts and consequences of this phenomenon is deep and considerable, even with different characteristics and nature.  With no doubt, the occurrence of this phenomenon is one of the important obstacles in the development process of the countries. As the impacts of this event lasts for a long period, the countries and people who have been affected by this phenomenon are forced to spend extensive financial resources to encounter it during and after the event.

Evidently, the frequency, intensity, duration, and spatial and geographical coverage of droughts will have wider dimensions in future due to climate change impacts. Hence, occurrence of droughts in any region, may pose global implications. The impact of water scarcity on global security can not be ignored.

Introducing the “International Drought Initiative” (IDI) can be a driving force for this global movement. In this draft concept paper, the objectives and framework for establishing and organizing such an initiative is presented in anticipation of further deliberations by experts and relevant entities.

An overview of the current situation

With respect to drought management, different measures are carried out in various countries according to their level of development and lessons learnt on the impacts of past droughts. These measures have different aspects and dimensions. In developed countries, integrated plans are defined and executed and responsibilities are well divided. In developing or less developed countries which are much more vulnerable to droughts, no considerable systematic and harmonized measures have been taken. In the latter countries, most of the measures carried out are concentrated after drought events, e.g. granting different helps and incomplete aids. International governmental and non-governmental entities also implement different programs and plans according to their functions and mission of which some concentrate on research, technical and practical assessments and some other on improvement of knowledge and awareness. Usually, at critical periods, some financial and logistic contributions will be provided for the affected regions by United Nations or affiliated entities.

With regards to the above mentioned matters, it can be concluded that the overall measures implemented at national and international levels don’t have an organized and intelligent solidarity and coordination. Although, individual activities are so valuable and useful, a good use won’t be made from the potential synergy of the set of these activities which can have an important effect and consequence in drought management.

IDI Objectives

According to the above-mentioned points and the necessity of strengthening communities to effectively face and encounter the consequences of this phenomenon, especially in developing and less developed countries, taking benefit of developed countries’ experiences in this process and according to the contents of UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) which emphasizes on compiling a drought preparedness plan, the International Drought Initiative would create an appropriate opportunity for a global movement related to different aspects of this phenomenon.

The methodology to prepare and compile policies and strategies related to drought management, the way to act in emergency situations, compiling practical plans to confront this phenomenon, clarifying stakeholder’s participation, establishing warning systems, using networks to gather meteorological data, methodology of assessing damages and procedure for addressing environmental conflicts are among the issues that can be addressed in the framework of this initiative.

Role of the entities affiliated to UN and non-governmental organizations, and also countries in successfully compiling and executing drought management plans and their cooperation in achieving the goals is imperative and vital for successful implementation of this program. This program should be implemented to reduce the existing gap between developed and developing countries by utilising valuable experiences and precise assessments of future needs. This program should also, guide the countries under coverage to follow acceptable standards in an appropriate time schedule by implementing necessary activities. It seems that this procedure will help to realize sustainable development and it contributes in mitigating the impacts of economical, social and environmental aspects of droughts in the coming decade of the 21st century. The objectives of the International Drought Initiative can be considered as follows:

1- Establishing a core for strengthening international cooperation on drought issues particularly in arid and semi arid regions

2- Educational and Research activities on drought

3- Performing case studies illustrating the socio-economic and environmental risks by drought

4- Supplying necessary financial, technical and logistic resources for IDI activities

5- Preparing and compiling short-term, mid-term and long-term plans (perspective) for IDI

IDI at a Glance

Due to the vast knowledge and experience of Iranian’s in the field of droughts the Ministry of Energy, I. R. Iran decided to propose the initiative to UNESCO-IHP to be considered and deliberated during its meetings which was later approved by the 19th International Hydrological Programme (IHP) Intergovernmental Council held in Paris, France July in 2010. The secretariat for the initiative is provided by the Regional Centre on Urban Water Management- (RCUWM) in Tehran, Iran.

IDI activities

1-    Compiling the World Report on Drought Management

2-    Establishing the World Drought Watch (WDW) and Global Drought Preparedness Network (GDPM);

3-    Develop and build capacities in: drought monitoring, mitigation, preparedness techniques and methodologies

4-    Prepare and compile short-term, mid-term and long-term plans (perspective) for IDI

5-    Supply financial, technical and logistic resources which are necessary for IDI activities

6-    Case studies illustrating the socio-economic and environmental risks by drought

The solution will be located at the international level going beyond boundaries. It will mainly focus in arid and semi arid regions of the world both in urban and rural areas.

The negative impacts of drought in urbanization and its consequences in social, economical, food security, health and welfare should also been considered.

It is actually a plan which will act as a hub for creating links between international entities active in the field of droughts. This hub will provide the ground for better coordination, knowledge transfer and networking amongst organizations working in the field of drought monitoring, drought forecasting, drought management, etc.

We aim at defining research projects and carrying out training events including expert group meetings, seminars, conferences and workshops by IDI partners.

Who had initiated the project?: This initiative was proposed by the Ministry of Energy, Islamic Republic of Iran and was passed to the Regional Centre on Urban Water Management-Tehran under the auspices of UNESCO and supported by the Ministry of Energy as the coordinating body of this initiative.

The Iranian IHP National Committee for UNESCO supported this proposal by submitting it to UNESCO General Conference and the 19th intergovernmental Council accordingly.

What were the stakeholders’ drivers? Iran is located in an arid and semi arid region with an average rainfall of around 250 millimeters equivalent to one third of the average precipitation of the world. This has made the authorities of the Ministry of Energy, I.R. Iran to focus on a new initiative dealing with drought issues around the globe with the aim of transferring knowledge and experience between interested entities. Other drivers are:

         Creating a capable and suitable environment for following up relevant issues

         Facilitating the establishment, expansion and continuous relation between active organizations at the national and international level

         Creating an integrated data bank in the field of drought

Which actors proved strategic in the implementation?

1)      Ministry of Energy, I.R. Iran, Deputy for Water and Wastewater

2)      UNESCO-IHP and the Iranian National Commission for UNESCO

3)      Ministry of Agriculture, Iran

At what stage were they brought in?

From the first stages.

Who has ensured the follow up of the solution at the local level?

The Regional Centre on Urban Water Management-Tehran (RCUWM)

Current development status of the solution

1-    Preparing a descriptive report on IDI

2-    Preparing required documents to be used in UNESCO General Conference resolutions

3-    Proposing the establishment of IDI by the Ministry of Energy, Water and Wastewater Affairs, Iran to UNESCO General Conference

4-    Proposing and approving IDI in the Intergovernmental Council of UNESCO-IHP

5-    Preparing the initial brochure of IDI

6-    Distributing the draft IDI brochure to national and international sources

7-    Receiving and collecting feedbacks on the brochure

8-    Determining the operational components of IDI

9-    Correspondences with relevant entities for allocating budget

10-Arranging internal meetings

11-Holding advisory meetings with national and international resource persons

12-Uploading the IDI website

13-Holding the IHP Initiatives meeting in Tehran

14-Defining relevant projects within the region (documentary)

15-Preparing the country report and IDI role in Iran

16-Equipping the office

17-Holding a workshop with the aim of introducing IDI with the presence of national and international expertise

18-Defining research proposal priorities in the field of drought in Iran and the world

19-Preparing the data bank of active institutes in the field of drought at the national and international level

20- Holding a meeting with Chief of Hydrology Department of UNESCO Water Sector.

It is actually a plan which will act as a hub for creating links between international entities active in the field of droughts. This hub will provide the ground for better coordination, knowledge transfer and networking amongst organizations working in the field of drought monitoring,  drought forecasting, drought management, etc.

With regards to the above mentioned matter, it can be concluded that the overall measures implemented at the international level do not have an organized and intelligent solidarity, and coordination, although individual activities are so valuable and useful, a good use won’t be made from the potential synergy of the set of these activities which can have an important effect and consequence in drought management.

One of the most effective and usefull measures for wisely facing any cases, especially natural disasters which its occurance are predictable, is having an organised vision on drought.

The global experiences proved that in respect to drought, although national programs and actions could be potentially usefull and acceptable, but having an integrated international plan for drought management in line with the experiences of various countries in the world could significantly improve the capacity of countries in reducing the negative impacts of this disaster.

With respect to the necessity of strengthening the societies for confronting droughts, especially in developing and less developed countries and effective use of the experiences of developed countries in this respect and also based on the contents of UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) which emphasises on codifying a Drought Preparedness Plan, establishing the International Drought Initiative (IDI) could be an appropriate chance mobilizing wills to confront different dimensions of this disaster.

In accordance with previous successful international experiences, before executing procedures for running the plan, planning a general framework as the road map including the main objectives and missions of the plan and its approval at the highest decision making level is necessary for putting the plan into the action and reaching the goals of the International Drought Initiative. 

Given your experience, who would / should be most interested in this Solution and why? How will it help them?

It seems that today’s world, needs a movement to face and encounter the challenges of natural disasters related to water, especially droughts, so that through systematic measures carried out by governments at national level and integrating them with the activities of international governmental and non-governmental organizations and entities, effective and coordinated action plans could be prepared. This global movement through mobilizing political wills and resources can create effective measures in order to predict and produce preparedness and mitigation plans at global scale.

In what context do you think this solution could / would work best and why?

-Cooperation development

- Better water resources management

- Adaptation with new water resources conditions

- Mitigating negative impacts due to drought

-Better management for food security

- Optimum use of Energy

This initiative will work best in the context of preparing a roadmap which includes the following issues:

·         Compiling the organizational chart

·         Preparing the data bank of active entities in the field of drought at the national and international level including institutes, projects, publications and gatherings

·         Establishing continuous relation with UN and Non-governmental affiliated institutes as well as  experienced countries for successfully compiling and implementing drought management plans

·         Establishing the drought data bank in order to compile and implement the plans along with determining relevant disciplines

·         Compiling the document entitled as “ international and national policies and visions in the field of drought” by taking benefit of existing documents

·         Forming the advisory committee, Executive – Strategic Council and activating the secretariat and relevant working groups

·         Preparing and compiling the methodology of gathering documents related to drought organizations at the national and international level

·         Creating the IDI website and data bank

·         Preparing the draft plans of the IDI by citing its financial requirements by taking into account the following priorities

-Coordinating with effective sections

-Drought management by relying on risk management

-Promoting statistical collection systems and basic drought data

·         Strengthening public participation and promoting the level of awareness with the aim of increasing the initiative effectiveness

·         Promoting and developing organizational cooperation at the national level with the aim of increasing capacities and omitting parallel activities

·         Compiling awareness programs, knowledge exchange and manpower capacity building

·         Determining strategies for developing national and international cooperation

·         Equipping financial and technical resources required for IDI activities

·         Taking benefit of UNESCO’s support

In this concern, the three following steps have been anticipated which will be further elaborated:

1.       Assessing the limitations: With no doubt, the existing obstacles and limitations should be taken into consideration when compiling an initiative

Precise and logical assessment of these limitations could lead the program to a real situation and to a successful implementation. Assessment of the following issues should be taken into consideration when compiling the international drought initiative.

A.      Assessment of human resources and experts in the development and implementation of programs

B.      Assessment of financial resources needed and the method of supplying

C.      Assessment of law and legal barriers

D.     Editing clear and precise terms of references for each entities and their methods of reporting to the IDI Secretariat

E.      A clear mechanism on ways of co-ordination, communication and leadership of activities

The mentioned assessments for being considered during the action plan must be prepared.

2.       Organizing the Executive – Strategic Council for IDI: Organizing the mentioned council for introducing IDI activities and providing ensuring links between all active entities in the field of drought at national and international level has specific importance and it is a major step in activating the IDI activities.

3.       Education and Training Programs: An implemented program will lead to success when all members and societies fully acknowledge its goals and framework.Such a condition depends on the awareness of national andinternationalcommunities in the field of drought as well as its impacts and confronting methods. Hence, the training activities also are one of the major parts of International Drought Initiative (IDI).IDI, by taking into account that continuous and long-term training programs will have appropriate response from recipient of trainers, will focus to 3 major steps as follows:

A.      Technical trainings through organizing specific training workshops and courses for managers and experts in the field of drought at international level

B.      Enhanced public awareness through various educational courses on the various aspects of droughts and public participation in drought combating  programs

C.      Technical training for public media

what would be needed to upscale this solution, for example to a political or/and a regional level?

As the success of IDI in realizing its goals depends on coordination and participation of interested countries from one hand, and international and regional governmental / non-governmental entities from the other hand, the governance structure of this project should be set in such a way to practically encourage their participation in different steps from policy making to execution.

 It is therefore suggested that a steering committee including representatives of some of the countries with valuable experiences in drought management as well as representatives of some of the international governmental entities such as: UNESCO-IHP, WMO, FAO, UNDP, GWP, WWC and ISDR be organized. This committee would be responsible for preparing and compiling the working procedures for the initiative.

It is worth mentioning that establishment of IDI as a global measure, has been highly received in some meetings related to water and supports have been made toward this suggestion.

What tips and guidance (dos and don’ts) would you give to others interested in applying this solution in their own context?

As this UNESCO initiative is a movement towards international cooperation in between entities involved in drought management issues around the globe is a vital key towards the initiative’s goals and objectives.

Forming a think tank to collect/create relevant information including project proposals, databanks, etc. is also advised for helping different countries particularly developing and less developed countries to prepare and compile strategic and practical drought management plans.

What is the minimum investment necessary (in terms of human resources, time, energy, infrastructure, financial resources, political will, etc.) in order to effectively implement this solution?

The minimum investment is around 200000 USD for the first year.

What are the main factors of success that you wish to emphasize?

1)      UNESCO’s focus to develop this initiative throughout the world

2)      The Ministry of Energy, I. R. Iran intends to strengthen this program form the view points of Scientific, financial and manpower resources

3)      National IHP Committees concern to the importance of this initiative

4)      Taking benefit of other initiatives such as IFI and ISI

5)      International and regional cooperation.

At the first step for forming the IDI Advisory Committee, we are going to invite the following entities for joining this initiative:

         Representative of the Intergovernmental Council of IHP- UNESCO

         Representative of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO)

         Representative of the World Water Council (WWC)

         Representative of Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

         Representative of United Nations Development Program (UNDP)

         Representative of RAMSAR Wetland Convention

         Representative of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR)

         Representative of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNCCC)

         The Deputy of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ministry of Energy in Water and Wastewater affairs

         The Director of the Regional Centre on Urban Water Management  – Tehran (under the auspices of UNESCO)

         5 active and experienced experts in drought field selected by the Islamic Republic of Iran Ministry of Energy

         Representative of the Iran Department of Environment

         Representative of the most active national university in drought field

         Representative of the Iran Meteorological Organization

We are also working on having other international entities involved in this global movement.

Regional Centre on Urban Water Management-Tehran (under the auspices of UNESCO)

No.1-Shahrsaz Lane, Kargozar Ave. Tehran, Iran

Director, Homayoun Motiee (motiee@rcuwm.org.ir), Tel: +9821-22911027, 8

Alireza Salamat, Programme Officer (a.salamat@rcuwm.org.ir) +9821-22911027, 8

Shahram Khorasanizadeh, Programme Specialist (sh.khorasani@rcuwm.org.ir) +9821-22911027, 8