13 SEP 2019
A new global coalition to combat sand and dust storms was launched at the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification Conference of Parties (UNCCD COP14) meeting in Delhi on 6 September.
Sand and dust storms—also known as sirocco, haboob, yellow dust, white storms, and the harmattan—are a natural phenomenon linked with land and water management, and climate change. The fluctuation in their intensity, magnitude or interaction with each other is what can make them unpredictable and dangerous.
Forty-five countries are classified by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification as sources of these storms and many others are directly affected.
The UN Environment Programme (UNEP), following calls by Member States, contributed to the establishment and early achievements of the coalition, created in September 2018, through the UN Environment Management Group. Following its launch, the coalition aims to:
Prepare a global response which could be used to develop a UN system-wide approach
Develop a strategy and action plan to identify entry points for supporting affected countries and regions to implement response measures
Provide a forum for engaging partners and enhancing dialogue and collaboration among affected countries and UN agencies at global, regional, and sub-regional levels
Provide a common platform for exchange of knowledge, data, resources, information and technical expertise
Strengthen preparedness measures and strategies for risk reduction, consolidate policy, innovative solutions, advocacy and capacity-building efforts, and fundraising initiatives
Identify and mobilize financial resources for joint responses to sand and dust storms
“The coalition is extremely important as part of future UN system-wide plans to cope with sand and dust storms in an integrated manner,” says Satya Tripathi, Assistant Secretary-General, Head of UNEP New York Office and Secretary of the UN Environment Management Group.
“Addressing sand and dust storms will be based on a disaster risk management approach and the sand and dust storm life cycle, including mitigation, early prevention and preparedness, early warning and forecasting, and ultimately response and recovery activities,” he adds.