Pakistan Launches First National Drought Action Plan Amid Water Stress

Pakistan’s First National Drought Action Plan Unveiled

Pakistan has unveiled its first National Drought Action Plan (NDAP) as climate change exacerbates the frequency, intensity, and impact of droughts on agriculture, water resources, food security, and livelihoods.

Federal Secretary for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Aisha Humera Moriani emphasized that Pakistan must shift from a reactive to a proactive approach in managing drought risks.

The NDAP aims to provide a coordinated framework for proactive drought management, focusing on planning and resource mobilization, governance and policy, early warning systems, local mitigation measures, and capacity building.

Moriani highlighted the contributions of the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), and partner organizations in developing the Pakistan Drought Management System (PakDMS), which offers real-time monitoring and early warning capabilities.

The NDAP is built around key areas such as planning and resource mobilization, governance and policy, early warning systems, local mitigation measures, and capacity building.

A workshop attended by representatives from federal and provincial governments, development partners, and organizations including IWMI, PMD, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), and the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) discussed priority sectors, institutional roles and responsibilities, and a roadmap for short-, medium- and long-term action.

Moriani stressed that drought management requires close coordination among federal and provincial governments, technical agencies, and development partners.

The NDAP is intended to provide a unified framework for proactive drought risk management by defining strategic priorities, institutional responsibilities, and coordinated actions before, during, and after drought events.