Drought Dynamics in Sub-Saharan Africa: Impacts and Adaptation Strategies

Pedro Lombe (), Elsa Carvalho and Paulo Rosa-Santos ()
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Pedro Lombe: Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto (FEUP), Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, S/N, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
Elsa Carvalho: Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto (FEUP), Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, S/N, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
Paulo Rosa-Santos: Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto (FEUP), Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, S/N, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 22, 1-22

Abstract: The escalation in both frequency and severity of drought events has significantly amplified the vulnerability of numerous countries, particularly in developing ones, imposing substantial economic, environmental, and social pressures. This article presents a systematic review of drought occurrences in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), examining historical trends, current impacts, and projected future implications. Through this comprehensive assessment, a clear trend of intensifying drought phenomena emerges across SSA, leading to crop failures, drying of water sources, loss of pasture, food shortages, and an increase in food prices. This review also highlights the concerning potential for worsening conditions in certain regions, resulting in consequences such as migration, food insecurity, malnutrition, family disintegration, crop losses, and increased disease prevalence, notably HIV/AIDS. This study further reveals that current adaptation measures by governments and NGOs should be improved to effectively adapt to the diverse impacts of drought, and it contributes to a deeper understanding of drought dynamics in Sub-Saharan Africa and assesses its critical impacts on food security and social well-being. It also evaluates adaptation measures across different countries, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses and enabling quick identification of areas for improvement. Additionally, it informs resilience-building efforts in vulnerable communities.

Keywords: drought mitigation; food security; water scarcity; Sub-Saharan Africa; socio-economic vulnerability; drought severity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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