IDMP aims to address the intensification of droughts expected in the 21st Century in many regions by seeking to build climate resilience, reduce economic and social losses, and alleviate poverty in drought-affected regions around the world. It promotes an integrated approach to drought management that cuts across sectors, disciplines, and institutions and responds to specific regional and national needs.
IDMP will contribute to national efforts for poverty alleviation in drought-affected regions of the world. An integrated approach to managing climate extremes is crucial to stepping out of established silos and to making the right connections. The IDMP aims to link practitioners with the science for improved forecasting and better planning. It contributes to the Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS) which bridges the gap between climate information developed by scientists and the practical needs of policy-makers and planners.
Historical records of past climate extremes are no longer reliable predictors of future droughts because of climate change. Therefore, agricultural, energy, and water managers are facing increasing uncertainty in providing the basic services we depend on. The IDMP aims to establish a new culture of proactive drought management that focuses on preparedness and drought predictions and measures that mitigate
the impact of droughts. In this way, it aims to:
- advance scientific understanding of, and inputs for, drought management;
- improve the knowledge base and access to information and products;
- provide drought risk assessments, monitoring, predictions and early warnings;
- develop policy and planning for drought preparedness and mitigation across sectors; and
- address drought risk reduction and response.
While the spatial scope is global, the results are expected to be policy relevant and tailored to specific regional and national needs and requirements. The IDMP will support actors and partners in various sectors, disciplines and institutions to improve drought monitoring, prediction and preparedness on a global, regional, national and community scale. This knowledge gained thus will be used in the development of short-term and long-term drought management plans and actions.
The Programme will coordinate with other relevant international, regional and national initiatives to avoid duplication of efforts, increase efficiency in the use of resources and build on synergies.