Main Article Content
Abstract
Drought is a recurring natural phenomenon that has severe consequences for the people of Afghanistan. Despite its frequent occurrence, no comprehensive strategies have been implemented to mitigate its effects, leaving communities highly vulnerable. This study examines drought management approaches in Afghanistan, utilizing both quantitative and qualitative research methods. Data were collected through structured interviews with 20 drought management specialists, using a purposeful sampling technique. The interviews consisted of five key questions designed to assess current management strategies and their effectiveness. The findings indicate that Afghanistan is among the countries most severely impacted by drought, with 2019 recording the highest number of affected individuals in the past 23 years. The research highlights the urgent need for proactive policies and community-driven initiatives to reduce the long-term effects of drought. By adopting effective drought management strategies, the government, policymakers, and local communities can enhance resilience and better safeguard themselves against future occurrences.
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References
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- Suleymanov, F. (2024). A review of the multifaceted relationship between drought dynamics and conflicts. Hydrological Processes, 38(9), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.15262
- Suryavanshi, S., Joshi, N., Maurya, H. K., Gupta, D., & Sharma, K. K. (2022). Understanding precipitation characteristics of Afghanistan at provincial scale. Theoretical and Applied Climatology, 150(3–4), 1775–1791. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00704-022-04257-4
- Ur, Z., Rasikh, R., Amini, A., Niazi, S., Joolaie, R., & Mirkarimi, S. (2023). Analysis of the Consequences of Agricultural Policies on the Cropping Pattern of Agricultural Products and Employment in Afghanistan. Australian Journal of Engineering and Innovative Technology, 7804, 206–215. https://doi.org/10.34104/ajeit.023.02060215
- World Bank Group. (2017). Afghanistan disster risk profile (p. 17).
- Safi, L. (2023). Review of Afghanistan’s development pattern from 2001 to 2021: a relative lacked sustainability, inclusiveness, and prosperity. J. Soc. Econ. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40847-023-00268-7
- Mujeeb M. Sahak, K., Safi L., Ahmadzai M R. (2023). Climate Change Impacts and Surface Water Accessibility Analysis in the Ghorband Sub River Basin, Afghanistan 3(01)105-122. KPU International Journal of Engineering & Technology. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/377597943.
- Safi, L. & Mushwani, H. (2025). Assessing Public Awareness and Socio-Economic Impacts of Drought in Bamyan Province. Journal of Natural Sciences – Kabul University, 6(4), 127–137. https://doi.org/10.62810/jns.v6i4.347
- Safi, L., & Safi, A. ghias. (2024). Assessing Agricultural Sector Vulnerability and Coping Strategies to Climate Change in Afghanistan. Journal of Natural Sciences – Kabul University, 7(Special.Issue), 91–112. https://doi.org/10.62810/jns.v7iSpecial.Issue.92
References
Rousta, I., Saberi, M. A., Mahmood, S. A. R., MansourMoghaddam, M., Olafsson, H., Krzyszczak, J., & Baranowski, P (2020). Climate change impacts on vegetation and agricultural drought in the basin of Panjshir River in Afghanistan. Journal of Climate Change Research, 1(4), 77–88. https://doi.org/10.30488/ ccr.2020.253624.1029
Aliyar, Q., Zulfiqar, F., Datta, A., & Kuwornu, J. K. M. (2022). International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction Drought perception and field-level adaptation strategies of farming households in drought-prone areas of Afghanistan. 72(September 2021).
Amarnath, G., Ghosh, S., & Alahacoon, N. (2023). Afghanistan Drought Early Warning Decision Support (AF-DEWS) Tool. In IWMI Research Report (Vol. 2023, Issue 188). https://doi.org/10.5337/2023.223
Bakker, K. (1999). A Framework for Institutional Analysis , Working paper Societal and Institutional Responses to Climate Change and Climatic Hazards : Managing Changing Flood and Drought Risk ( SIRCH ) Working Paper # 3 : A Framework for Institutional Analysis Contributors. January.
Bauman, A., Goemans, C., Pritchett, J., & McFadden, D. T. (2013). Estimating the Economic and Social Impacts from the Drought in Southern Colorado. Journal of Contemporary Water Research & Education, 151(1), 61–69. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1936-704x.2013.03152.x
Bhatnagar, S., & Shahab Ahmed, Z. (2021). Geopolitics of landlocked states in South Asia: a comparative analysis of Afghanistan and Nepal. Australian Journal of International Affairs, 75(1), 60–79. https://doi.org/10.1080/10357718.2020.1793896
Bhattacharyya, K., Azizi, P. M., Shobair, S. S., & Mohsini, M. Y. (2004). Drought Impacts and Potential for Their Mitigation in Southern and Western Afghanistan. Working Paper 91. 25.
Brüntrup, M., & Tsegai, D. (2017). Drought Adaptation and Resilience in Developing Countries, Briefing Paper. Promoting Food Security in Rural Sub-Saharan Africa” of the German Development Institute / Deutsches Institut Für Entwicklungspolitik (DIE) Funded by the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) under Its “One World – No Hunger” (SEW, 23, 1–5. https://www.econstor.eu/bitstream/10419/199811/1/die-bp-2017-23.pdf
Carrão, H., Naumann, G., & Barbosa, P. (2018). Global projections of drought hazard in a warming climate: a prime for disaster risk management. Climate Dynamics, 50(5–6), 2137–2155. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00382-017-3740-8
Daqiq, M. T., Sharma, R., Karunakalage, A., & Kannaujiya, S. (2023). Determination of Groundwater Storage Variation , Deficit , and Abstraction in Afghanistan and the Assessment of the Evolution of Vadose Zone in Kabul City. IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing, 61, 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1109/TGRS.2023.3326164
Di Cristofaro, J., Pennarun, E., Mazières, S., Myres, N. M., Lin, A. A., Temori, S. A., Metspalu, M., Metspalu, E., Witzel, M., King, R. J., Underhill, P. A., Villems, R., & Chiaroni, J. (2013). Afghan Hindu Kush: Where Eurasian Sub-Continent Gene Flows Converge. PLoS ONE, 8(10). https://doi.org/10.1371/.
Karim, M. R., & Rahman, M. A. (2015). Drought risk management for increased cereal production in asian least developed countries. Weather and Climate Extremes, 7, 24–35. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wace.2014.10.004
Miyan, M. A. (2015). Droughts in asian least developed countries: Vulnerability and sustainability. Weather and Climate Extremes, 7, 8–23. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wace.2014.06.003
Nasrati, R. (2018). Signs of climate change in Afghanistan: drought and its effect on agriculture. Regional Problems, 21(3 (1)), 75–81. https://doi.org/10.31433/1605-220x-2018-21-3(1)-75-81
NSIA. (2023). Estimated Population of Afghanistan 2023-24 .
OCHA. (2024). Afghanistan: Overview of Natural Disasters. November, 2024. https://response.reliefweb.int/afghanistan/natural-disasters-dashboard
Poole, N., Echavez, C., & Rowland, D. (2018). Are agriculture and nutrition policies and practice coherent? Stakeholder evidence from Afghanistan. Food Security, 10(6), 1577–1601. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12571-018-0851-y
Qutbudin, I., Shiru, M. S., Sharafati, A., Ahmed, K., Al-Ansari, N., Yaseen, Z. M., Shahid, S., & Wang, X. (2019). Seasonal drought pattern changes due to climate variability: Case study in Afghanistan. Water (Switzerland), 11(5). https://doi.org/10.3390/w11051096
Safi, L., Mujeeb, M., Sahak, K., Mushwani, H., & Hashmi, S. (2024). Climate change impacts and threats on basic livelihood resources, food security and social stability in Afghanistan. GeoJournal, 89. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10708-024-11077-8
Suleymanov, F. (2024). A review of the multifaceted relationship between drought dynamics and conflicts. Hydrological Processes, 38(9), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.15262
Suryavanshi, S., Joshi, N., Maurya, H. K., Gupta, D., & Sharma, K. K. (2022). Understanding precipitation characteristics of Afghanistan at provincial scale. Theoretical and Applied Climatology, 150(3–4), 1775–1791. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00704-022-04257-4
Ur, Z., Rasikh, R., Amini, A., Niazi, S., Joolaie, R., & Mirkarimi, S. (2023). Analysis of the Consequences of Agricultural Policies on the Cropping Pattern of Agricultural Products and Employment in Afghanistan. Australian Journal of Engineering and Innovative Technology, 7804, 206–215. https://doi.org/10.34104/ajeit.023.02060215
World Bank Group. (2017). Afghanistan disster risk profile (p. 17).
Safi, L. (2023). Review of Afghanistan’s development pattern from 2001 to 2021: a relative lacked sustainability, inclusiveness, and prosperity. J. Soc. Econ. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40847-023-00268-7
Mujeeb M. Sahak, K., Safi L., Ahmadzai M R. (2023). Climate Change Impacts and Surface Water Accessibility Analysis in the Ghorband Sub River Basin, Afghanistan 3(01)105-122. KPU International Journal of Engineering & Technology. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/377597943.
Safi, L. & Mushwani, H. (2025). Assessing Public Awareness and Socio-Economic Impacts of Drought in Bamyan Province. Journal of Natural Sciences – Kabul University, 6(4), 127–137. https://doi.org/10.62810/jns.v6i4.347
Safi, L., & Safi, A. ghias. (2024). Assessing Agricultural Sector Vulnerability and Coping Strategies to Climate Change in Afghanistan. Journal of Natural Sciences – Kabul University, 7(Special.Issue), 91–112. https://doi.org/10.62810/jns.v7iSpecial.Issue.92