Joint measures for combatting sand and dust storms
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Over 90 per cent of land in the Arab region is arid or hyper-arid with limited rainfall, while 73 per cent of arable land is affected by land degradation. Climate change is impacting water resources and soils, while changing land use patterns are also advancing land degradation. These conditions contribute to sand and dust storms (SDS), which have become increasingly problematic in the Mashreq region.
ESCWA and partners are collaborating to better understand the challenges and identify necessary actions and responses across affected sectors. Three sets of activities are being undertaken to foster global and regional collaboration and improve understanding on the risks of SDS:
- Conducting science-based assessments.
- Building the capacity of meteorological services.
- Launching interregional dialogue in the Mashreq Region.
This will be supported by regional climate projections for the Mashreq Domain, which complement those already available on the RICCAR regional knowledge hub.
Visit the RICCAR website at: www.riccar.org.