Drought does not work alone

In dryland environments drought periodically emerges in a context of chronic water security challenges: these are places where managing water scarcity is a continual not an exceptional task. The article uses examples from case studies to illustrate the interaction of drought with other dynamics in the lives of pastoralists and agro-pastoralists. It focuses on how implications of drought should be understood and how this can inform risk management. A key component of many adaptation interventions in semi-arid areas is a focus on knowledge provision, especially generation of improved forecasting, early warning and associated advice to herders and farmers.UK Government’s Department for International Development (DfID)International Development Research Centre (IDRC