International Drought Initiative (IDI)

1. Ministry of EnergyI.R. Iran International Drought Initiative (IDI) International Hydrological Program Division of Water Sciences HomayounMotiee (Ph.D.) Director , RCUWM - Tehran Associate professor, PWUT University - Tehran Drought in Isfahan

2. Introduction to International Drought Initiative - IDI • IDI is a recent initiative proposed by Iran, submitted to the 35th session of the General Conference of UNESCO in 2009 proposing to establish the International Drought Initiative. • Introducing the International Drought Initiative (IDI) can be a starting point and driving force for a global movement under the supervision of UNESCO-IHP.

3. An Introduction to International Drought Initiative - IDI • The proposal of this initiative was at first prepared by RCUWM-Tehran on behalf of the Ministry of Energy, I.R. Iran, • It was delivered to Iranian national Commission for UNESCO for being presented in UNESCO General Conference • An IHP National Committee Meeting was organized with the presence of representatives from Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Malaysia, Japan, Oman, Kuwait and Tajikistan. • The draft proposal was put on the floor and reviewed by the attendees. IHP Committees Meeting, Tehran

4. An Introduction to International Drought Initiative - IDI • The International Drought Initiative (IDI) was approved by the 19th IHP Intergovernmental Council held in Paris, France July 2010. • The secretariat for this initiative is in Tehran, Iran. 19th IHP Intergovernmental council

5. Why Proposal of IDI? Before coming to the objectives of this initiative, an introduction on drought situation in Iran is presented. • Droughts are symbols of water scarcity while floods are verses of too much water. • In arid and semi-arid regions of the world such as the middle east, climate change has a greater impact on water resources and several parameters such as: • - the increase in drought periods and intensities, • - decrease in precipitation and increase in evaporation, • Several parameters including drought intensification, period, area under coverage, considerable economic and social damages in long-term, has caused this phenomenon to be amongst one of the most fatal disasters.

6. Global Drought Map and Iran Situation Iran has an extreme drought situation in the world ≤

7. Introduction: General Information about Iran Located in an Arid and Semi-Arid region. • Area: 1.648 million km2 • Population: 70 million • Average Rainfall: 250 mm • 15% : with humid and semi humid conditions. • - 20% : with Semi dry conditions, • - 65% : with dry regions, • Central and Southeast sections include huge desert areas.

8. Precipitating Distribution The country is divided in two parts” 1- a semi dry area with a mean annual precip. > 250 mm 2- a dry area with a mean annual precip. < 250 mm Blue line : mean annual precipitation of 250 mm

9. Comparison maps of Water Resources and Population • . - In the Northern and Western parts , most of water resources are surface water, while in the Center and East are Groundwater (Aquifers). - These conditions lead to uneven distribution of population. - More than 50% of the population live in the western and northern regions, while about 70% of water resources are located in these areas.

10. Water Resources Potentials Annual Water Resources in Billion Cubic Meters (BCM)

11. Present Situation At Present, Iran is facing water scarcity : Main reasons : • Fast growing rate of population, • Droughts and climate change • Over-use and Mismanagement of water resources • Demand of more water in different sectors • Decline of water quality • Delay in constructing new water projects

12. Droughts in Iran • One of the most dangerous hazards of nature in the middle east region including Iran is “Drought” which greatly affects water resources . • A famous quote from King Syrus of Iran, 3000 years ago, shows high importance of droughts: • “ I wish the country would be secure from two disasters : enemies , drought . “ • It is related to a deficiency of precipitation • over an extended period of time, usually for a season or more. It also impacts : • food production, • life expectancy , • economic performance of large regions .

13. Drought Condition in Iran • The country has past one of the catastrophic droughts in the recent decade. • It has severely affected the country, leaving over half the country's population vulnerable to food and water insecurity. • In the period of fall 2010, the country past the worst period of drought in its history. • The amount of precipitation during this time, has decreased to 70 % of its normal period of 40 years. • According to the United Nations estimations the damages to agriculture and livestock are around $2.5 billion annually during drought periods.

14. Case Study IZayandeh Rood River, May 2011 • In recent years many rivers and lakes in Iran dried out particularly in summer due to deficit of precipitation and drought intensity.

15. Case Study IZayandeh Rood River, May 2011 Life running in Isfahan highly depends on Zayandehrood river. The historically city of Isfahan is located in the central part of Iran and it has a population of around 3 million. The river passes through the city providing water for its upstream and downstream area. A reservoir dam has been constructed with the aim of providing various requirements. .

16. Case Study IZayandeh Rood River, May 2011 Due to drought intensity during the recent years, the water volume behind the dam has decreased annually and therefore sufficient amount of water is not released for permanently filling the river. Unfortunately as demonstrated in the photo, the city looses its beauty during summer. .

17. Case Study IIOromieh Lake During the recent years one of the most overwhelming damaging impacts of droughts on Iran’s water resources has been on Uromieh lake in the west north of Iran. Uromieh Lake is the most saline lake in the world .

18. Oromieh Water Basin • The surface has now decreased to 1/3 and the volume has declined to ½. • Water level is 2 meters under the normal depth. • The normal volume of this lake is 30 BCM, while at present it holds only 15 BCM and estimations demonstrate that during the coming years by the decrease in rainfall and increase in evaporation, the destiny of this lake would be similar to Aral Sea basin in the Middle Asia. • Basin Area: 51876 km2 • Cultivable Area: 1300000 Ha • Irrigated Area: 460000 Ha • Rain fed Area: 840000 Ha

19. Main problems and hazards threatening the sustainability of lake Oromieh • Significant drawdown in the lake’s water level • Increase in the lake’s water salinity • Appearance of salty released land and dispersion of salts by wind • Considerable decrease of the ecological conditions

20. Satellite Images of Van Lake (Turkey ) and Oromieh Lake (Iran) 2010 2002 1995 • Experts believe this may have two main reasons: • 70% of this is related to drought intensity and climate change • 30% is related to human activities such as dam construction on upstream rivers.

21. IDI Objectives • This critical situation in Iran and the region demonstrates that drought is an important issue highly affecting water resources management. • Hence dealing with this issue as a local phenomenon could not properly satisfy our needs. • Therefore, studying this natural disaster from the view point of regional and international cooperation could lead to a better understanding, and could contribute to mitigating its impacts.

22. IDI Objectives • Helping different countries specially developing and less developed countries to prepare and compile strategic and practical drought management plans. • Develop and build capacities in drought monitoring, mitigation, preparedness techniques and methodologies.

23. An Introduction to International Drought Initiative - IDI • IDI Objectives • Surveying the current situation of drought management in selected countries in different aspects; • Surveying the plans and measures of international and regional governmental/non-governmental entities involved in drought management; China - Drought

24. An Introduction to International Drought Initiative - IDI • IDI Objectives • Holding international and regional events to exchange knowledge and experience related to different aspects of drought management; • Prepare and compile short, mid and long-term plans for IDI. • Supply financial, technical and logistic resources for IDI activities. Shrinking Lake - Chad

25. Communicating with some active entities on working on drought around the world & requesting a comprehensive report of their activities and achievements Most Important Activities, July 2010 – May 2011 Recognizing International Drought Organizations • UNESCO-IHP • North American Drought Monitor • European Drought Centre (EDC) • Drought Information Centre (OIC) • Drought Coordination Centre (DCC) • Drought Monitoring Centre for the Greater Horn of Africa • Northeast Regional Climate Centre • Drought Management Centre for Southeastern Europe • Monitoring Drought • Climate Prediction Centre (NOAA) • New York Drought Information • Drought Watch • Asian Disaster Reduction Centre (ADRS) • Natural Hazards Centre • Drought Assistance website (Gov. of Australia)

26. Most Important Activities, July 2010 – May 2011 Correspondences with International Organization Contacting managers of the following international organizations, inviting them to be a member of the IDI Executive Committee (EC) and receiving their willingness to cooperate. This resulted in receiving some nominations for the IDI- EC. • International Research and Training Center Erosion and Sedimentation in China (IRTCES) • Climatology and Remote Sensing Center of University of California (CHRS) • World Metrological Organization (WMO) • The International Center for Water Hazards (ICHARM) -Japan • United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UN–ISDR)

27. Designing the preliminary flyer of IDI and submitting it to national and international entities for their recommendations especially to respected members of Iranian IHP Most Important Activities, July 2010 – May 2011 • Holding several coordinating sessions • Holding several consultation meetings • Preparing the draft road map, organization chart and work plan

28. Establishing IDI Secretariat in Iran, hosted by RCUWM-Tehran Most Important Activities, July 2010 – May 2011 Designing and launching a website for IDI (www.idi-drought.com) Designing the IDI logo Developing the IDI website on the basis of SharePoint Forming the National Advisory Committee in close cooperation with RCUWM and other relevant entities

29. Management Executive Committee Consultative Committee Planning, research and public relations affairs Most Important Activities, July 2010 – May 2011 Proposed Organization Chart for IDI

30. Most Important Activities, July 2010 – May 2011 Preparing theIDI Introductory Booklet

31. Most Important Activities, July 2010 – May 2011 Introducing IDI in Int. events of the Centre • Workshop on Natural Water Disaster, Brazil, 2010 • Training Workshop on Application of GIS and RS in Water Resources Management, Oman, Dec. 2010. • International Training Workshop on Hydrology, Pakistan, 2010 • Second International Istanbul Water Forum, May 2011 • First National Conference on Drought & Climate Change, June 2010 • Iranian National Committee of IHP

32. Resolution XIX-12 • Recognizing the invaluable expertise and capacities available in the I.R. of Iran • and its efforts in addressing recurrent and severe droughts as a • common phenomena • Decides to establish the IDI within IHP as a long-term initiative through • which the research activities related to droughts as well as the • development of capacities to address such events will be designed, • coordinated and implemented; • Invites the I.R. of Iran to host the secretariat of IDI and provide the required • institutional and financial support towards the establishment and • continuity of this initiative; • Invites the I.R. of Iran to discuss in further details the activities of this • initiative with the IHP Secretariat and the UNESCO network of • centres and institutes; • Calls upon Member States to actively support the initiative and contribute to its • development and implementation to the highest extent of their • technical and financial available resources. • Decides to inscribe in the agenda of the 20th session of the IHP Council an • item related to the development of the IDI within IHP. • Proposal for the establishment of an International Drought Initiative (IDI) • The Intergovernmental Council of the International Hydrological Programme of UNESCO, • Welcoming the proposal submitted to the 35th session of UNESCO General • Conference by the Government of the I.R. of Iran which was • received positively by UNESCO Member States and transmitted to • the Intergovernmental Council of IHP for further consideration and • decision; • Noting that under the growing threat of water scarcity, droughts may have • different economic, social and environmental impacts depending on • their intensity and duration, while their occurrence is not limited to a • specific climatic and geographic region; • Noting also that droughts usually affect vast regions with a more widespread • and extensive range of impacts that evolve over time and last for a • longer period; • Drawing attention to the fact that there is limited harmonized effort among different • concerned countries, universities, international organizations and • UN agencies to coordinate and share experiences available on • adaptation and mitigation of drought at regional as well as • international levels; • Recalling that the establishment of an International Drought Initiative (IDI) as • a global platform was very well received in the regional meeting of • the IHP National Committees of West and Central Asia held in • Tehran, Iran, in July 2009;

33. Future actions • Further communication with relevant International Entities • Holding the executive committee of IDI • Allocating specific budget for IDI activities • Holding a meeting at the national/ international level with the aim of introducing wing IDI • Reviewing and completing the road map • Recruiting active and qualified manpower based on the duties • Reviewing and finalizing the organizational chart • Holding an international conference on Drought • Allocating a premises for IDI secretariat • Organizing a consultation meeting

34. Thanks for your attention. • RCUWM – Tehran Secretariat • 1st Floor, No. 1, Sharsaz Lane, Kargozar St., Dastgerdi Ave., ModaressHighway, Tehran, 1919839713 • Tel: +98 21 22911027 - 8 Fax: +98 21 22911027 • Email: info@rcuwm.org.ir Web: www.rcuwm.org.ir