In 2011, the Horn of Africa experienced its worst drought in more than 60 years. The drought followed two rainless seasons that led to crop failures, widespread loss of livestock and rising food prices in parts of Ethiopia, Kenya, Djibouti, Somalia and Uganda. The drought left over 11 million people in need of life-saving assistance throughout the region.

In Africa, the livelihood, as well as the economy, depends on climate-related sectors, manly rain-fed agriculture, rendering the continent especially vulnerable to the impact of drought. Famine has been among the most severe consequences of drought in Africa.

Recognizing droughts in a timely manner depends on the ability to monitor and forecast the diverse physical indicators of drought, as well as relevant economic, social and environmental impacts.

Unfortunately, due to technical and policy limitations, there has been little development to date of a coordinated and integrated drought monitoring and forecasting system in most African countries. Recent trends toward increased climate variability and vulnerability to drought, especially the great drought that swept the Horn of Africa, amplify the need for a more integrated monitoring and forecasting system on the continent.

In this respect, China is providing help to some African countries. Under the UNEP-China-Africa Cooperation Program on the Environment, funded by China's Ministry of Science and Technology, Chinese experts are now working with Africans on a project titled "Drought Early Warning System and Adaptation Technology for the Dry Areas of Africa" to predict and adapt for droughts, not only for the short term, but also for the long term. When the project ends in 2013, the targeted countries of Morocco, Zambia, Egypt, Niger and Ethiopia are expected to be better equipped to face drought through establishing and strengthening drought early warning system as well as building national institutional capacities that will be able to deal with the challenges. 

China has extensive experience in drought early warning and drought adaptation technologies. Like other projects under the UNEP-China-Africa Cooperation Program, this one is also conducted to share experience with Africa mainly through capacity-building activities and pilot projects. Joint research, training programs and educational programs will also be undertaken.

As the leading project implementation unit of the project from China, the Institute of Agricultural Environment and Resources at Shanxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences (SAAS-IAER) is building on its previous experience in earlier phases of the program and establishing the drought early warning systems in Morocco and Ethiopia. Starting in October 2012, a team from SAAS-IAER has settled down in Morocco for one month to carry out hydrological and agro-climatic investigation and joint study.

Two visiting scholars from Morocco are now doing research at SAAS-IAER. Samira Ismaili, a researcher from the National Institute of Agronomic Research (INRA) in Morocco, specializing in the management of soil and water resources, said Morocco is impacted by climate changes, especially drought and flood. A drought early warning system (DEWS) and drought mitigation technologies adapted to Moroccan conditions are important for improving decision-making and protecting the livelihoods of rural communities in Morocco.

Dr. El Houssine El Mzouri, Head of Research and Development Unit of INRA, is also excited about the project. "I set this project as one of the priorities of my work, not only because it is beneficial to Morocco's agricultural development, but also because it opens a window to both countries for mutual understanding and further cooperation in science, culture and other areas," he commented. "Moreover, it provides valuable academic exchange opportunities for young scholars from African countries and China, which are of profound meaning to their academic experience."

Drought adaptation technology demonstration sites were constructed in Egypt under the project. Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University of China is cooperating with Suez Canal University of Egypt to demonstrate advanced drought adaptation technologies in China, including soil moisture monitoring, balanced fertilization, straw mulching, plastic film mulching, conservation tillage and rainwater harvest, as well as drought-resistance crop varieties. "After the initial investigation and first season's experiment, I expect more cooperation in testing new crop varieties that can be planted under our irrigation systems. Water saving techniques for higher water use efficiency and energy saving, are important elements of our cooperation program," said Dr. Mohamed A. Rashad of Suez Canal University.

(Dr. Mohamed A.S. Abdel-Monem is the Regional Team Leader of Ecosystem Management in ROA/UNEP and a leader for the Program from UNEP. Tian Ping is Dr. Mohamed's assistant, special coordinator of the Program.)