National Contingency Plan for Drought

1.1. Concept and background......................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.

1.2. PURPOSE ...............................................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.

1.3. DEFINITION OF TERMS AND CONCEPTS ..........................................Error! Bookmark not defined. a) Drought ...................................................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined. b) Meteorological drought ..........................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined. c) Agricultural drought ...............................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined. d) Hydrological drought ..............................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined. e) Socio-economic drought ........................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined. f) Contingency planning .............................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined. g) Drought cycle management (DCM) ........................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.

1.4. UNDERSTANDING DROUGHT AND WATER SHORTAGE ................Error! Bookmark not defined.

1.5. CONTINGENCY PLANNING AND DROUGHT CYCLE MANAGEMENT........... Error! Bookmark not defined.

1.5.1. Contingency planning ...................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.

1.5.2. Drought cycle.................................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined. 2. PLANNING ASSUMPTION AND DROUGHT SCENARIO............................Error! Bookmark not defined.

2.1. Main scenario..........................................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.

2.2 Medium Drought ....................................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.

2.3 Severe Drought.......................................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.

2.4 Extreme Drought ....................................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined. 3 DROUGHT MANAGEMENT .............................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.

3.2 PREPARING FOR A DROUGHT .................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.

3.2.1 Agricultural Water Use Efficiency ......................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.

3.2.2 Conjunctive Management and Groundwater Storage ......................Error! Bookmark not defined.

3.2.3 Ecosystem Restoration.......................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.

3.2.4 Land Use Planning & Management ...................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.

3.1.5 Drought Monitoring And Forecasting ...................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.

3.3 RESPONDING TO A DROUGHT ...........................................................Error! Bookmark not defined. 4 1. Local Response .......................................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined. 2. Water Agency Response ........................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined. 3. National Response..................................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.

3.3. RECOVERING FROM A DROUGHT ......................................................Error! Bookmark not defined. 4. INSTITUTION’S ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES .....................................Error! Bookmark not defined.

4.1. Potential Actions by institution in Preparing for a Drought .......................Error! Bookmark not defined. References .............................................................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined. 5 ACRONYMS DCP Drought Contingency Plan DCS Disaster Communication System DDMC District Disaster Management Committees EWS Early Warning System FRT: First responders’ teams MIDIMAR: Ministry of Disaster Management and Refugee Affairs MINAGRI: Ministry of Agriculture MINALOC: Ministry of Local Government MINECOFIN: Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning MINIRENA: Ministry of Natural Resources MoH: Ministry of Health NDMEC National Disaster Management Executive Committee NDMTC: National Disaster Management Technical Committee NDMP National Disaster Management Policy NDRMP National Disaster Risk Management Plan NGO Non-Governmental Organizations NPDM: National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction OR Operation Room PDNA Post Disaster Needs Assessment RAB: Rwanda Agriculture Board RBC: Rwanda Biomedical Center REMA: Rwanda Environment Management Agency RMA Rwanda Meteorology Agency RNP: Rwanda National Police RNRA: Rwanda Natural Resources Authority RRC: Rwanda Red Cross RSB: Rwanda Standard Bureau SDMC Sector Disaster Management Committee WASAC Water and Sanitation Corporation 6 1. INTRODUCTION

1.1. Concept and background Rwanda water resources especially in eastern province have been stressed by periodic drought cycles and unprecedented restrictions in water diversions in recent years. Climate change is expected to increase extreme weather. It is not known if the current effects will abate soon or if it will persist for many years. However, it is certain that this is not the last climate change effects that the country will face. In response to the recent drought and famine cases the MIDIMAR has prepared in partnership with key government and non-government institutions a drought contingency plan to take immediate, mid and long term actions to manage the crisis. This DCP contains strategies and actions national institutions may take to mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from droughts. Some components of this plan may be applied to water shortage events that occur in the absence of a drought. The purpose of the DCP is to minimize drought impacts by improving institutional coordination; enhancing monitoring and early warning capabilities; water shortage impact assessments; and preparedness, response, and recovery programs. The plan identifies an integrated, regional approach to addressing drought, drought action levels, and appropriate institutional responses as drought conditions change. An effective DCP will need transparent coordination and clearly defined roles and responsibilities of all involved institution at both national and local level, and the timely dissemination of information to decision-makers. An Interagency Drought Task Force (Task Force) will be convened to provide coordination among agencies and it will work under the existing national disaster management technical committee. The Task Force will be chaired by the MIDIMAR with assistance from MINAGRI, RAB and WASAC mainly. The task force will coordinate over all drought activities but will focus on emergency response and recovery efforts. The Task Force will ensure accurate and timely distribution of water supply data and drought forecasts to water managers and the public. Committee member consist of representatives from agencies responsible for monitoring weather and water supply data, disaster management, environment management, agriculture, natural resources, security and local government. 7 The purpose of the DCP is therefore to minimize drought impacts by improving agency coordination; enhancing monitoring and early warning capabilities; water shortage impact assessments; and preparedness, response, and recovery programs. The DCP includes a coordinated government strategy to prepare for, respond to, and recover from droughts and water shortages , and identifies an integrated regional approach to assessing droughts, drought action levels, and appropriate agency responses as drought severity changes. To accomplish the above purpose, the Drought Contingency Plan:  Recommends a general framework for agency planning and coordination to facilitate drought response and management.  Identifies activities and strategies that may be implemented to minimize drought impacts on vulnerable regions These activities include actions that may be implemented before, during, and after a drought with respect to planning and coordination, monitoring, local assistance and conservation programs.  Identifies the national and local structures/agencies that have the lead or supporting roles in managing the drought response activities.  Promotes effective use of public and private resources to manage response and mitigation efforts.

1.2. PURPOSE The purpose of this Drought Contingency Plan is:  to provide contingency plans to manage drought and emergency conditions  to continue to deliver a cost effective, adequate, safe and reliable supply of high quality water even during a water crisis  to identify successful public information strategies which will motivate the community to reduce normal consumption to drought allowances.  to recommend a programmed response for each stage which would most effectively reduce water consumption to the available supply with the least adverse impact on the communities in the activation area 8

1.3. DEFINITION OF TERMS AND CONCEPTS With respect to the concerned matter, a few conceptual and operational definitions of terms and concepts related to drought are highlighted below and modified based on UNISDR’s terminology on disaster risk reduction (2009) and on the National Disaster management policy a) Drought According to UNISDR (2009), a broad definition of drought is a deficiency of precipitation over an extended period of time, usually a season or more, which results in a water shortage for some activity, group, or environmental sectors. In order to explicitly define drought contingency plan and planning, it was necessary to further provide the various definitions of drought as may be relevant. b) Meteorological drought According to UNISDR (2009), Meteorological drought is usually defined by a precipitation deficiency over a pre-determined period of time. A general working definition of meteorological drought is ‘a reduction in rainfall supply compared with a specified average condition over some specified period (Hulme, 1993). Therefore meteorological drought is a deficiency of precipitation (intensity) from expected or normal that extends over a season or longer period of time (duration) and is insufficient to meet the demands of human activities and the environment. This is the most important type of drought which drives the other type of droughts discussed below. c) Agricultural drought Agricultural drought links various characteristics of meteorological (or hydrological) drought to agricultural impacts, focusing on precipitation shortages, soil water deficits, reduced ground water or reservoir levels needed for irrigation, and so forth. d) Hydrological drought Hydrological drought usually refers to a period of below normal stream flow and depleted reservoir storage during which stream flow is inadequate to supply established uses under a given system. It results from following periods of extended precipitation shortfalls that impact water supply potentially resulting in significant societal impacts. e) Socio-economic drought Socio-economic drought occurs when the demand for socio-economic goods exceeds supply as a result of a weather-related shortfall in water supply (combination of meteorological and hydrological drought impacts) or human induced factors (from increased population and poor production from deficiency or poor technology). 9 f) Contingency planning A management process that analyses specific potential events or emerging situations that might threaten society or the environment and establishes arrangements in advance to enable timely, effective and appropriate responses to such events and situations. Contingency planning is a management tool used to analyze the impact of potential crises and ensure that adequate and appropriate arrangements are made in advance to respond in a timely, effective and appropriate way to the needs of the affected population (IASC, 2007). g) Drought cycle management (DCM) Drought cycle management is a cyclic process that acknowledges drought as a cyclic event and defines what actions to be taken in different stages of ‘‘a drought’’.

1.4. UNDERSTANDING DROUGHT AND WATER SHORTAGE The onset of drought is a gradual phenomenon, whereas water shortage may be sudden, as would occur if an earthquake causes massive and cascading levee failures, resulting in a shutdown of the rivers and other water sources export water pumps. With the exception of impacts to dryland farming and grazing, drought impacts may occur slowly over seasonal periods, and the effects may linger for years after the end of the event. In Rwanda drought risk is commonly associated with impacts and below normal precipitation. Drought impacts increase with the length of a drought, as water supplies in reservoirs are depleted and groundwater levels decline due to increased pumping. The extent of drought impacts is dependent on many factors including climate, water use, available water supplies and geography.

1.5. Contingency Planning and Drought Cycle Management

1.5.1. Contingency planning The MIDIMAR will promote different approaches/tools that address the underlying structural causes of vulnerability and reduce the impacts of shocks. In this regard, the use of drought risk reduction, climate change adaptation and social protection strategies all have an important role to play at different times and in different ways in reducing vulnerability and building resilience. The ultimate objective of the drought response system is to promote early mitigation efforts that reduce the time that elapses from the point when warning of drought stress is given and the 10 point when response at county level starts. Drought mitigation activities will take a livelihood perspective and be specifically designed to support local economies and promote linkages with long-term development strategies. This is expected to reduce considerably the losses of assets by households during drought crises and contribute to enhance resilience. The contingency planning process adopted by MIDIMAR is based on the drought cycle management approach, which can be understood in terms of five phases that can be categorized into normal, alert, alarm, emergency, and recovery, with different types of interventions tailored to the various phases. DCM describes in a general way how to reduce vulnerability (& increase resilience) of populations to drought through proper planning. The aim is also to use funds more effectively: making investment in drought preparedness during the normal and alert stages means that less money should have to be spent during the emergency phase. Early warning systems and the warning stages that are derived from them are an effective way of triggering interventions to manage drought.

1.5.2. Drought cycle DROUGHT CYCLE MANAGEMENT EMERGENCY ALARM Environment-' ~ i:wodut'tion Allil P ---- aeoubide RECOVERY &wif'onrnerrt:el indiuton ~ ftl.lC'tud:e o utside ret.-ni"S to $-eesoOneil .s-eesontil ~.-.ges. ff occes.s iru:/'ic.aoors r.orrM.. This. p t.se UII be mo~ o uitside the ,-n.a ...,.e, the dedwed ~ ~ .r t he stetus. r - n s et -.-mr- t>ut wcn, • droua,,t phe,,s.,e is in Aiann _ ,., . ~end wonccnins~ ~ Envir onmental i ndicatOB NORMAL show unusual fluctuations Environmental i ndicators ---~ ·outside expect seasonail show no u:nu.sual - - - 'fluctuat i ons Each phase will require specific drought mitigation activities to support livelihoods and minimize depletion of assets. Some drought management models run together ‘alert’ and ‘alarm’ warning stages as a single stage. This simplifies the warning stages but it loses a sensitive transition and decision point since the alert stage is extremely important for early action that can reduce the later social and economic impact of drought, saving people and money. Running ‘alert’ and ‘alarm’ together as a single stage disguises this trigger. 11 2. PLANNING ASSUMPTION AND DROUGHT SCENARIO

2.1. Main scenario In the year 2016, Rwanda will experienced Medium, Severe and extreme drought for a period of 12 months which will cause serious negative impacts to socio-economic set up of the Rwandan community residing in Kayonza, Nyagatare, Bugesera, Kirehe and Ngoma Districts from the Eastern Province of Rwanda. Almost 200 human deaths are expected to occur due to hunger, famine, and water borne diseases and animals are dying others are migrating in other regions. The effects of drought within 6 months are to be managed by the Government of Rwanda using the existing means and capacities. Three possible scenarios for the identified sectors have been developed, indicating the most likely scenarios and highlighting key cross cutting issues to be considered such as Famine or Food Insecurity, Shortage of water or and water borne diseases. Some other key sectors will be affected like: Protection, Environment and Early Recovery and Gender. Focus is on how each hazard would affect various sectors in the event of a disaster. In coming up with scenarios it was important to separate the norm from disasters to enable the scenarios to cater for disasters rather than respond to a normal development activity. The following are 3 levels of expected drought in Rwanda.

2.2. Medium Drought In the said province the predicted drought will last for a period of 3 months. Medium drought will cause a minimal hunger and famine to an estimated 2,000 number of people; this will further affect the performance of school going children at an estimated drop out of 400 students. Due to this drought some wild animals are expected to go out of Akagera National park due to outbreak of wild fires caused by either poachers or self-caused fires and this will cause Human-wild life conflict. Due to hunger and famine that will hit the eastern province poaching is likely to increase and subsequently this will affect tourism performance. Food insecurity will be observed and spread to some residents to all districts of eastern province. About 300 people are expected to migrate to neighboring districts and beyond the national borders of Rwanda.

2.3. Severe Drought It is predicted that after a period of six months the drought will highly spread and further negatively affect the said Province, hunger and famine will increase and an estimated 4,000 number of people will be affected, this will automatically affect the performance of school going children, about 800 will drop out and this will rise the crime rate such as drug abuse due to redundancy of youth, subsequently it will affect general human security as the redundancy and hunger will cause some young girls joining ill groups like prostitution and other related crimes in trying to earn a living. With this kind of situation unwanted and unplanned pregnancy will rise and family conflict will also rise, detaining centers of police accommodate 300 detainees at every district for 24 hrs and courts of law 12 will be jammed at least lower courts will be receiving 30 suspects every day. Poaching and other environmental crimes will rise about 100 buffalos and Hippopotamus will be killed for meat, an estimated 60 Sq kms of Akagera National Park will be burnt and this will raise the number of wild life animals moving out of the park to the community an estimated 30 elephants and 50 Hippopotamus will cause Human wild life conflict to the communities around the park. About 800 people will be internally displaced and about 670 people will go out country to Burundi, United Republic of Tanzania and Uganda, this will affect the international relations of Rwanda and the neighboring countries. Kwashiorkor and other water borne diseases will increase and an estimated 460 people will be admitted to different district hospitals. This will subsequently lead to toll death of about 200 people.

2.4. Extreme Drought It is predicted that after a period of 12 months the drought will be highly and severely increased and spread to other parts of the whole region and beyond this will further negatively affect both human and none human life. Cases of famine and hunger will rapidly increase from 4,000 to 6,000. This will affect the general performance of the GDP of the country and automatically will negatively affect the standards of living of the general population of the Province. Poaching will increase due to hunger and famine of the communities around the protected area. School dropout will increase and about 2,000 younger girls will drop out of the school. The drop out of the younger girls will raise the prostitution level which will lead to RUM (Rural urban migration) Drug abuse and trafficking will also increase to about 700 cases, which will cause insecurity in the Region consequently it will affect the whole Country. The prices of food will increase by at least 70%, and this will affect the inflation rate in the country In addition, 200 people are estimated to die due to hunger, water borne diseases and famine, about 290 children less than 5 years are expected to have malnutrition cases which will affect their social and psychological thinking and quick development of their knowledge and education skills. About 17,000 people will be internally displaced in that year and 900 will cross the borders to either United Republic of Tanzania or Uganda in searching for food and casual employment. Human trafficking is likely to increase due to famine and hunger; about 600 boys and girls will be trafficked through Uganda and United Republic of Tanzania. An estimated 400 youth especially boys are likely to join armed rebels of DRC. Almost all boarding secondary schools will cross up their operations. All milking diary extension centers of eastern province close their operations. About 3,000 Teachers and other casual laborers will lose their jobs, creating un employment problem. 13 3. DROUGHT MANAGEMENT

3.1. PREPARING FOR A DROUGHT

3.1.1. Agricultural Water Use Efficiency The Agricultural Water Use Efficiency Strategy describes the use and application of scientific processes to control agricultural water deliveries and use, and achieve beneficial outcomes. The Strategy includes:  An estimation of net water savings resulting from implementation of efficiency measures as expressed by the ratio of water output to water input;  Resulting benefits; and  Strategies to achieve water use efficiency and its benefits. However, with increased agricultural water use efficiency, there is a corresponding potential for decrease in groundwater recharge that surface water irrigations provide in some areas. The estimation of net water savings is the reduction in the amount of water used that becomes available for other purposes, while maintaining or improving crop yield. Net water savings recognizes:  uptake and transpiration of water for crop water use,  the role, benefits, and quantity of applied water that is recoverable and reusable in the agricultural setting, and  The quantity of irrecoverable applied water that flows to salt sinks, such as the ocean and inaccessible or degraded saline aquifers, or evaporates to the atmosphere, and is unavailable for reuse. The benefits, in addition to water savings, may include water quality improvements, environmental benefits, improved flow and timing, and often increased energy efficiency.

3.1.2. Conjunctive Management and Groundwater Storage Conjunctive groundwater management refers to the coordinated and planned use and management of both surface water and groundwater resources to maximize the availability and reliability of water supplies in a region to meet various management objectives. Surface water and groundwater resources typically differ significantly in their availability, quality, management needs, development and use costs. Managing both resources together, rather than in isolation, allows water managers to use the advantages of both resources for maximum benefit. Drought relief for urban and agricultural water users and potential induced groundwater recharge could be gained through groundwater substitution transfer and agricultural water transfers. 14

3.1.3. Ecosystem Restoration Ecosystem restoration improves the condition of our modified natural landscapes and biological communities to provide for their sustainability and for their use by current and future generations. Successful restoration increases the diversity of native species and biological communities and the abundance and connectivity of habitats. This can include reproducing natural flows in streams and rivers, curtailing the discharge of waste and toxic contaminants into water bodies, controlling non- native invasive plant and animal species, removing barriers to fish migration in rivers and streams, and recovering wetlands so that they store floodwater, recharge aquifers, filter pollutants, and provide habitat. These conflicts repeatedly disrupt water supplies often during droughts. Thus, one result of ecosystem restoration activities could be a more reliable water supply.

3.1.4. Land Use Planning & Management Integrating land use and water management consists of planning for the housing and economic development needs of a growing population while providing for the efficient use of water, water quality, energy, and other resources. The way in which we use land (the pattern and type of land use and transportation and the level of development intensity) has a direct relationship to water supply and quality, flood management, and other water issues. Land use resource management strategy brings together many concepts which if adopted together will make existing and future land development more efficient in use of water and hence makes communities more sustainable and resilient to the effects of drought.

3.1.5. Drought Monitoring And Forecasting Monitoring and forecasting are essential to support effective drought responses. The ability to assess and predict drought require an extensive, long-term monitoring and data collection effort. Being proactive to drought management requires continuous monitoring of indicators to help predict the onset and extent of drought, as well as to help determine when to relax restrictions and return to normal operations. Real-time weather water supply data will be compared with historical records to evaluate drought.

3.2. RESPONDING TO A DROUGHT Local government, water agency, and individual actions are usually the first line of drought response before impacts become severe and reach emergency level. National assistance may become necessary if drought persists and impacts exceed the local capacity to respond. If resources are exhausted or inadequate to respond to a drought or water Shortage, the situation may next request a ministerial declaration for humanitarian assistance. 15 The following describes local and national drought response. 1. Local Response Local governments and water suppliers are responsible for managing their water system to ensure an adequate and safe water supply. Drought response at the local level is commonly voluntary or mandatory conservation imposed under local regulations. The district disaster management committee may proclaim a local emergency when the conditions of disaster or extreme peril exist. The proclamation enables the district to use emergency funds, resources, powers, and to promulgate emergency orders and regulations as per the district disaster management plan. 2. Water Agency Response Implementing enhanced water conservation programs and calling for customers to achieve either voluntary or mandatory water conservation goals or targets are common urban water supplier actions. Increases in customers’ water rates – either to encourage conservation or to react to increased costs associated with acquiring supplemental water sources or implementing conser vation programs – are common drought outcomes. 3. National Response Following the 2014 emergency drought crisis in Kayonza and Bugesera the NDMEC convened to monitor the social and economic impacts of the drought and to provide drought relief to impacted communities primarily located in different sectors of cited districts. The Committee was comprised of various institutions which coordinated with local and non-profit agencies on drought relief. Food distributions through the local food for work were held for two months in various sectors The Committee also coordinated strategic meetings with local community to listen to the needs of each sector and involve the population in mitigation mechanisms. Such system aligned to the National Disaster management policy and the disaster management law shall apply and become operational through the sector intervention plans per the level of drought effects.

3.3. RECOVERING FROM A DROUGHT The actions in this phase are intended to provide early recovery from, not long-term mitigation, of drought impacts. These actions sometimes overlap those for drought response because drought impacts often linger long after an end of a drought. Some agency drought response activities may continue to occur as well as continuous monitoring of drought indicators. National actions may include post drought evaluation, replenishment of water supplies, and economic and natural 16 resources recovery. The government may continue to assist with implementation of district and national relief programs (for example, food distributions, special water supply etc.) for individuals, farmers, and others impacted by the drought until the programs phase out or are called to an end. Follow-up with drought-impacted community water systems may be needed to restore operations and ensure system improvements and modifications are in compliance with applicable standards. A final meeting of the Task Force (or After Action Debriefing/Report) is needed for debriefing and identifying success, lessons learned, and recommended improvements. Appropriate amendments to legislation will be noted and a debriefing to the NDMEC is required. A final drought report summarizing the response actions, experience gained and recommendations for next steps will be produced by the Task Force. 4. INSTITUTION’S ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

4.1. Potential Actions by institution in Preparing for a Drought Drought Indicators: Current Water Conditions are at normal levels. No drastic water conservation measures are necessary, although water conservation should always be practiced. The water reservoirs (sources rivers and lakes) are full or nearly full and runoff across the state is at normal levels. ACTION LEAD INSTITUTIONS INVOLVED INSTITUTIONS Monitoring Work with local government and MIDIMAR MINAGRI, RAB, RNRA, communities representatives to develop WASAC drought metrics (indicators) with the goal of providing early detection and determination of drought severity Improve monitoring of key Indicators of MIDIMAR MINAGRI, RAB, RNRA, drought and drought impacts. WASAC Improve system of stream gaging for the RNRA WASAC, RAB purpose of managing water resources in low flow conditions and improving the accuracy of seasonal runoff and water supply forecasts. Augment real-time monitoring of RNRA WASAC groundwater data with additional reservoirs 17 Improve wildlife and habitat monitoring and RDB REMA, MINALOC develop an accessible and standardized database for reporting habitat conditions, populations, and human-wildlife contact incident Improve groundwater monitoring and RNRA REMA, WASAC assessment Develop reporting method for collection of MIDIMAR RNRA drought impacts data and information. Communication/Coordination and Planning Update Drought Contingency Plan MIDIMAR MINAGRI, RNRA, WASAC Develop a “national Drought Status” public MIDIMAR RNRA information strategy that communicates current drought to the public and decision- makers. Investigate most appropriate mechanism to communicate information, e.g. newspaper, mail, radio, website etc. Educate water users & agencies on how to RNRA WASAC use climate information to plan for mitigation and drought response Provide public general information on MIDIMAR REMA, RNRA drought as it relates to wildfire issues Provide farmers with awareness campaign MINAGRI MIDIMAR, RAB on coping with drought. Conduct drought preparedness workshops MIDIMAR MINAGRI for the purpose of Developing proper indicators for each region and Assess potential needs for regional assistance Prepare and update informational brochure RNRA MIDIMAR on drought for general public Develop coordination and communication MIDIMAR NDMTC, DDMC protocol between national, district and community levels Clarify emergency response procedures MIDIMAR NDMTC responding institutions Arrange for funding mechanisms to support MIDIMAR MINECOFIN, RNRA drought relief, groundwater projects, 18 conservation, recycling and other water management projects to assist regions in dealing with drought. Develop risk-based vulnerability assessment RNRA MIDIMAR for each basin /watershed. Prepare a "Map of Drought RNRA MIDIMAR, WASAC, Vulnerability" showing areas where drought REMA is more likely to upset water supplies. Investigate opportunities for regional RNRA NDMTC drought planning through IRWM to facilitate drought response and assist IRWM planning efforts in developing regional responses to drought Negotiate agreement for drought MIDIMAR WASAC, RNRA contingency water supplies. Table 2 – Potential Actions by Agencies in Responding to a Drought Level 1 - Abnormally Dry (Raising Awareness of Drought) ACTION LEAD INSTITUTIONS INVOLVED INSTITUTIONS Drought Indicator–The precipitation, snowpack, or runoff is lower than normal, or reservoir levels are below average. Conservation measures should be increased voluntarily, to help manage the state’s current water supply Communication/Coordination and Planning Activate Drought Operations Center for MIDIMAR MINAGRI, RNRA, RMA, central point of contact and information WASAC Convene Drought Monitoring Committee MIDIMAR NDMTC and Impact Assessment Work Groups (situation and assessment reports) Designate agency spokesperson(s) to NDMEC NDMTC interact with the public and media Issue a Drought Advisory and press release NDMEC NDMTC Direct national agencies/institutions to NDMEC NDMTC conserve water at national facilities Communicate conditions, reinforce general MIDIMAR NDMTC Conservation tips. Hold drought preparedness workshops. 19 Accelerate work with local governments and MIDIMAR NDMTC, DDMCs water providers on public awareness and outreach. Review laws to reduce impediments to NDMEC NDMTC providing water supplies to communities in emergency need, adapt/modify as necessary. (short term) Monitoring Collect “regional”1 impact data and MIDIMAR RNRA, RAB, WASAC information Facilitation of watershed and local planning for drought Seek funding to provide assistance to water RNRA MINECOFIN systems in need of developing storage and infrastructure improvements Level 2 - First Stage Drought (Voluntary Conservation, heightened awareness, increased preparation) Drought Indicator – The precipitations, snowpack, or runoff is lower than normal, or reservoir levels are below average. Conservation measures should be increased voluntarily, to help manage the state’s current water supply All actions in Level 1 plus: Communication/Coordination and Planning Develop Emergency Action Plan including: MIDIMAR RNRA, MINAGRI • Developing information necessary for an Agricultural Emergency Disaster Declaration • Development of mandatory conservation measures • Development of mandatory curtailment measures • Identify priorities for surface water supplies Communicate drought severity through MIDIMAR MINAGRI, WASAC, normal channels. RNRA Conduct workshops or other methods of MIDIMAR NDMTC communication in drought stricken areas to provide information on assistance available. Enhanced Media Outreach and provide MIDIMAR MINAGRI, WASAC, Assistance to communities for conservation RNRA and drought education. Monitoring 1 Regional may refer to provincial, district or sector administrative entities 20 See actions in Stage 1 Local Assistance Prepare to directly assist isolated, rural MIDIMAR NDMTC systems who are at most risk and have the least resources for responding. Work indirectly on local water sources RNRA WASAC managers (cooperatives, community leaders) and local government in urban areas with robust water management infrastructure, resources and coordination. Facilitation of watershed and local planning for drought Expedite water transfers by providing WASAC RNRA assistance in the form of technical resources, emergency infrastructure, arbitrating supply disputes, etc. Conservation Increased water savings RNRA REMA, WASAC Initiate heightened Water Conservation efforts (Save our Water Campaign) Encourage national facilities (including WASAC RNRA universities, schools, offices) to reduce water use Implement other reductions consistent with NDMTC DDMCs and similar to local community reductions. Provide financial assistance to drought MIDIMAR MINECOFIN, NDMTC impacted areas and sectors Hold more water in reservoirs in case next RNRA MIDIMAR year is a dry one. Start planning for any needed temporary engineering solutions. Level 3 - Severe Drought (Mandatory conservation, emergency actions) Drought Indicator – Reservoirs are low; precipitation, snowpack and runoff are all well-below normal, and forecast to remain so. Mandatory conservation may need to be enacted in communities that do not have adequate water supplies. All actions in Level 1 & 2 plus: Communication/Coordination and Planning Convene Interagency Task Force following NDMEC NDMTC Emergency Drought Proclamation Identify criteria thresholds for Emergency MIDIMAR RNRA, WASAC, RAB Proclamation 21 Initiate implementation of Emergency MIDIMAR NDMTC response plan and identify enforcement procedures Coordinate responses to emergency MIDIMAR NDMTC, NPDRR conditions Increased media outreach (and enhanced MIDIMAR MINAGRi, RNRA, assistance to communities for conservation WASAC and drought education) Communicate conditions, promote general MIDIMAR NDMTC conservation tips, and provide information on drought mitigation and response options. Continue intelligence gathering and MIDIMAR DDMC, RNRA, WASAC situation reporting Work with local health directors to assess MINISANTE MIDIMAR, RBC public health threats and take appropriate actions Provide regular situation reports to DDMCs SDMCs MIDIMAR, and appropriate agencies Prepare a request for Presidential Disaster NDMEC NDMTC Declaration Monitoring Appoint the drought management focal NDMTC persons Emergency notifications received by the MIDIMAR RMA, RNRA, RAB warning agencies and passed on to Drought Management focal Local Assistance Coordinate with local government to MIDIMAR DDMCs, SDMCs facilitate declaration of Drought Emergency in affected area(s). Deploy emergency MIDIMAR MINAGRI, WASAC conveyance/interconnections as needed. Coordinate mutual aid assistance MIDIMAR NDMTC Conservation Encourage public and private l facilities to WASAC RNP reduce water use by 20%. Level 4- Extreme Drought (Maximum mandatory conservation) Drought Indicator – Reservoirs are low; precipitation, snowpack and runoff are all well-below normal, and forecast to remain so. Mandatory conservation may need to be enacted in communities that do not have adequate water supplies. All actions in Level 1 - 3 plus: Local Assistance 22 Facilitate the provision of water hauling WASAC RNRA, MIDIMAR assistance/relief to communities. Impose necessary restrictions as needed for RNP WASAC, RNRA affected areas Conduct assessment and Provide required MIDIMAR NDMTC relief assistance to affected communities Initiate and facilitate greater use of recycled RNRA WASAC water. Conservation Work with local water agencies in highest WASAC RNRA, RNP levels of conservation which could include elimination of non-essential water use (No outside watering) Require public and private facilities to RNP WASAC, RNRA eliminate watering non-essential outdoor watering (exceptions for wildlife protection). Level 5 - Exceptional Drought (Water supplies cut off, maximum response) Drought Indicator – Extremely dry conditions persist across the state. Water safety, supply, and Qualities are all at risk, due to shortages. All sectors of water usage are facing hardship as a result of inadequate supply and dry conditions. All actions in Level 1 - 4 plus: Communication/Coordination and Planning Declare a water supply or water shortage NDMEC NDMTC emergency Activate the L4 emergency response NDMEC NDMTC Staff the disaster and emergency operation MIDIMAR NDMTC room Facilitate Mutual Aid requests for Assistance RNP NDMTC to provide increased security by law enforcement due to severe water cutbacks. Conservation Water use cut back to health and safety RNP WASAC needs only Other Coordinate the movement of population out MIDIMAR NDMTC of areas without supply with local government. 23 Table 3 – Potential Actions by Agencies in Recovery from a Drought Drought Indicators – Current Water Conditions throughout the State are at normal levels. No drastic water conservation measures are necessary, although water conservation should always be practiced. The state’s reservoirs are full or nearly full and runoff across the state is at normal levels ACTION LEAD INSTITUTIONS INVOLVED INSTITUTIONS Communication/Coordination and Planning Identify and communicate when drought NDMEC NDMTC Restrictions set should ease or cease. Monitoring: Ongoing monitoring of recovery (reservoir MINIRENA REMA RNRA replenishment and longer term climate data) Assure replenishment of reservoirs and RNRA WASAC, REMA groundwater resources. Monitoring of groundwater levels including REMA RNRA Facilitation of watershed and local planning for drought: Manage pasture, rangelands and forest MINIRENA RNRA, REMA recovery Local Assistance Reduction-of-herd recovery assistance for MIDIMAR NDMTC dairy and cattle operations. Provide technical assistance to districts NDMTC DDMCs requesting help in phasing out drought rates and returning to standard water rates. Pasture rehabilitation - Country provides assistance in form of : Loans and Grants NDMTC DDMCs Technical Assistance NDMTC DDMCs Actions to diminish first flush concerns (For REMA RNRA example: sediment transport off of denuded lands due to drought and/or wildfire) Provide deferred maintenance assistance RNRA WASAC for pumps, farming equipment and other water related infrastructure. 24 References 1. National Disaster management Policy, MIDIMAR (2012) 2. National Disaster Risk Management Plan, MIDIMAR (2013) 3. Floods and drought monitoring reports, RNRA (2011, 2012, 2013) 4. National Contingency Plan for floods and landslides 5. UNISDR Drought Contingency Plans and Planning in the Greater Horn of Africa (2012) 25