Because of heavy dependence on rainfed agriculture, about 60% of Sub-Saharan Africa is vulnerable to frequent and severe droughts (Esikuri, 2005).
Why are developing countries more vulnerable to drought than developed countries?
Developing countries are particularly vulnerable to drought because of their geography and strong dependence on subsistence agriculture. … The effects of drought differ with each drought and among crops, water resources, forests, different economies and other entities.
Why Africa is more vulnerable to drought than people in developed countries?
The continent also has low adaptive capacity making it particularly vulnerable and exposed because of high rates of poverty, financial and technological constraints as well as a heavy reliance on rain-fed agriculture.
Why is Africa at risk of drought?
Considering the limited economic and natural resources of the country due to its geopolitical location and the arid climate of the region, this demographic growth will lead to substantial drought risks.
What makes Africa vulnerable to climate?
According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the vulnerability of Africa to climate change is driven by a range of factors that include weak adaptive capacity, high dependence on ecosystem goods for livelihoods, and less developed agricultural production systems.
Why do developing countries struggle with drought?
The causes of droughts are essentially natural, but climate change increases the drought severity, frequency, duration, and spatial extent. The impacts of droughts are also strongly exacerbated by anthropological activities, such as deforestation, overgrazing, soil degradation, and water mismanagement.
What country has the most drought?
Botswana ranks as the country with the highest drought risk mainly due to its high exposure combined with its relatively high vulnerability (S1). …
Which countries have drought problems?
Afghanistan, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka have reported droughts at least once in every three year period in the past five decades, while Bangladesh and Nepal also suffer from drought frequently.
Where is the risk of drought in Africa?
Based on exposure measured as a function of the density of agricultural production per square kilometer, the risks associated with drought are greatest in southwestern Ethiopia and western Kenya.
How do droughts affect humans?
Drought can also affect people’s health and safety. Examples of drought impacts on society include anxiety or depression about economic losses, conflicts when there is not enough water, reduced incomes, fewer recreational activities, higher incidents of heat stroke, and even loss of human life.
Is South Africa at risk of drought?
As noted by sources, Southern Africa’s low level of economic development and reliance on agriculture—namely cereal crops and livestock—leave the region highly susceptible to droughts.
Why South Africa is at risk of drought and desertification?
Whereas over cultivation, inappropriate agricultural practices, overgrazing and deforestation have been previously identified as the major causes of land degradation and desertification, it is in fact a result of much deeper underlying forces of socio-economic nature, such as poverty and total dependency on natural …
How can we prevent droughts?
Being mindful of the amount of water you use each day can be a powerful way to prevent droughts. Turning off the faucet while you brush your teeth, watering your garden early in the morning so less water evaporates, and installing low-flow plumbing fixtures all are good ways to prevent wasted water.
Which African country is most affected by climate change?
MADAGASCAR (Climate Risk Index: 15.83)
Adverse weather events have also made the African country one of the most vulnerable to climate change with 72 deaths — 0.27 per 100,000 inhabitants — about 568 million dollars in economic losses and a drop in per capita GDP of 1.32%.
Why is Africa hot?
Africa mainly lies within the intertropical zone between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. … Because of this geographical situation, Africa is a hot continent as the solar radiation intensity is always high.
Which region of Africa is most vulnerable to desertification?
The U.N. estimates about 30 million acres of land across the globe are impacted by desertification every year. The most vulnerable region is a 3,000-mile stretch of land that includes ten countries in the Sahel region of Africa. The Sahel is the area between the Saharan Desert and the Sudanian Savannah.