* Pakistan is among 23 countries which are facing drought emergencies over the past two years, according to the report released by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification. link*
The report stated that 23 countries including Pakistan have experienced drought emergencies in the last two years (2020-22).
The 23 countries listed by the report include Afghanistan, Angola, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Chile, Ethiopia, Iran, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Lesotho, Mali, Mauritania, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Niger, Somalia, South Sudan, Syria, Pakistan, the United States and Zambia.
The report also stated that an additional 4 million square kilometres will need to be rehabilitated by 2050 while emphasising the need to provide immediate funding to developing countries.
“Productive land is scarce in Pakistan – 80% of the country is arid or semi-arid. Land degradation and desertification are caused by unsustainable land management practices, coupled with increased demand for natural resources, and driven by a rapidly growing and largely rural population dependent on drylands for their livelihoods,” the report stated.