Oct 14/15 meet-ups: Closing the Gap on Anticipatory Action for Drought

Every $1 invested in disaster risk reduction and prevention can save up to $15 in recovery costs, yet less than 1% of humanitarian funding currently goes toward anticipatory action, according to the United Nations.

Closing that gap requires that governments, humanitarian organizations, and others have the data, tools, and capacity to act early. Join us October 14/15 for EOTEC DevNet’s regional drought meet-ups, where we will explore how Earth observations (EO) are fostering early action on drought.

The meet-ups will feature region-specific cases on new approaches and analytical insights that are helping agencies move from costly response to effective anticipatory action. Spotlight speakers will share short presentations on these topics:

• Forecast-based financing in Latin America and Africa, focused on an IFRC mechanism that uses meteorological forecasts to trigger early action
• Drought-indexed insurance to reduce income shocks for irrigation-dependent citrus farmers in Spain
• Lessons from Europe’s 2022 droughts, particularly the role of national drought management plans in preparedness and early action
• El Niño preparedness and national drought action in Afghanistan

Spotlight speakers include:

• Africa
  • Dr. Abebe Kebede, Arba Minch University, Ethiopia
  • Irene Amuron, Head of Anticipatory Action, Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre
• Americas
  • Dr. Juan Bazo, Senior Climate and Data Science Adviser, Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre
  • Dr. Gabriel Senay, USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science Center
• Asia & Oceania
  • Esmatullah Mohammadi, Afghanistan Meteorological Department TBC
• Europe
  • Dr. Riccardo Biella, UFZ Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Germany & Dr. Anastasiya Shyrokaya, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden
  • Dr. Hector Macian-Sorribes, Universitat Politècnica de València, Spain

In addition to regionally-tailored spotlights, we will also: 

• Exchange insights on EO training needs and gaps specific to anticipatory action on drought
• Share updates on the upcoming launch of EOTEC’s drought tools tracker
• Hear from partners on their drought-related activities

Schedule of meetings: 

• Africa – October 14 (13:00-14:15 UTC) – agenda
• Americas – October 14 (16:00-17:15 UTC) – agenda
• Asia & Oceania – October 15 (04:00-05:15 UTC) – agenda
• Europe – October 15 (13:00-14:15 UTC) – agenda

If you need a calendar invite, sign up here.

Check back for updates and announcements of presenters.

Image: European Union, Copernicus Sentinel-2, showing drought conditions in the Motagua Valley in Guatemala, where the recent rainy season was 33% below average conditions.