Drought Risk

Drought is one of the most pervasive and devastating natural hazards, affecting more people worldwide than any other slow-onset disaster. Unlike floods or storms, its impacts often unfold gradually but can be far-reaching, disrupting agriculture, reducing water supplies, degrading ecosystems, and triggering food insecurity and economic losses. Over the past decades, the frequency, duration, and severity of droughts have increased in many regions due to climate change, rising global temperatures, and shifting rainfall patterns. The World Bank estimates that droughts cost the global economy over $30 billion USD annually, with developing countries bearing the greatest burden. Between 2000 and 2023, droughts directly affected hundreds of millions of people, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions where water scarcity is already critical.

The risks are not only environmental but also socio-economic. Rapid population growth, unsustainable water management, and overexploitation of natural resources amplify vulnerability, leaving communities exposed to crop failures, health crises, and forced migration.

Addressing drought requires a proactive and integrated approach: monitoring and forecasting water availability, optimizing land and water use, and implementing early warning systems. Through satellite remote sensing, hydrological modeling, and climate risk assessment, we provide the data and insights needed to anticipate drought impacts, strengthen resilience, and support sustainable water and agricultural management.