Multiple regions around the world are currently experiencing severe drought. With drought and water scarcity, this leads to crop failure which then leads to hunger crises. Right now, there are millions of children affected by hunger crises like the one in Africa, suffering and dying from malnutrition. We must know not only how to prepare for drought but also how to prevent drought, which we can do through effective drought strategies.
Save The Children’s vision is a world in which every child lives, learns and is safe from harm. We are one of Australia's largest aid and development organisations and for over 100 years we have been championing children’s rights. We have been providing aid to children and their families impacted by drought for decades - over 70 years in Africa. Below is how to prepare for a drought and how to prevent drought through drought strategies along with information on the drought relief we provide here in Australia, in Africa and around the world.
Learning how to prevent drought and how to prepare for a drought through drought strategies
Droughts can have devastating effects on communities. Drought strategies which can all be done at an individual, business and community level enable us to effectively deal with water scarcity, crucial to help combat hunger crises and the crippling effects of drought. Drought strategies mean we can take informed actions in terms of how to prepare for a drought. We can put strategies in place that mitigate the impacts, build resilience, gain access to funding and develop support services.
A drought strategy can:
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Provide a framework that enables collaboration
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Increase adoption of risk management practices
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Increase adoption of new knowledge and tools from research & development
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Ensure services that mitigate the effects of drought on health and wellbeing are accessible to those who need it
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Provide a foundation for developing and implementing programs for individuals and the wider community affected by drought
Drought strategies can also be effective in determining how to prevent drought. With climate change increasing the frequency and severity of droughts around the world, we can work towards more sustainable and proactive ways to farm and help manage the impacts of climate change.
Drought strategies can incorporate research on how to slow down climate change through different farming practices and changes we can make as a community.
Drought relief in Africa
Through the donations we receive, we can provide drought relief that supports drought-affected communities and promote sustainable water management. Some of the drought relief we provide, especially in Africa which is predicted to be heading into the worst drought in a decade, making the African hunger crisis much worse includes:
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Setting up Emergency Health Units that enable us to screen children for malnutrition and provide life-saving treatment
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Supporting treatment centres by training staff and providing life-saving supplies
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Supporting women-led loans and savings groups so families can start small-scale businesses, run sustainable kitchen gardens and raise livestock appropriate for drought-conditions
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Implementing resilience programs to address the long-term impacts of climate change
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Supporting the establishment and training of community-based disaster management committees
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Setting up rehydration posts to help prevent dehydration
Support our drought relief by donating today
So we can continue the drought relief we are providing to children and their families here in Australia and around the world, make a single donation today or become a monthly giver. Donations over $2 are tax deductible.