In the last two years, the advance of climate change and the pressure on natural resources have triggered some of the most severe droughts ever recorded internationally. This is confirmed by recent reports from organizations such as the UN and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, which warn of the growing risk and the social, economic, and environmental repercussions of this crisis. Far from being an isolated event, this phenomenon is emerging as a permanent reality to which governments, businesses, and citizens must urgently adapt.
Research from the US National Drought Mitigation Center (NDMC) reveals that drought has left an indelible mark on regions as diverse as the Mediterranean, the Amazon, and East and Southern Africa. The effects range from water shortages and lost crops to humanitarian crises that are testing the resilience of millions of people.
The Mediterranean: epicenter of water scarcity
The global report identifies seven areas particularly affected by drought between 2023 and 2025, placing the Mediterranean —and specifically Spain, Morocco, and Turkey—at the center of attention. The document highlights that, although drought is a typical part of the Mediterranean climate, its frequency and intensity have increased significantly since the 1950s. With the current rate of global warming, rainfall is expected to decrease by an additional 14% to 20% before 2050 , further exacerbating the already accumulated 12% reduction in water availability since 1980 in regions such as southern and eastern Spain.
In the agricultural sector, the olive harvest, crucial for olive oil production , was reduced by 50% in 2023 and 2024, triggering price increases and market tensions. Furthermore, 60% of Spanish farmland experienced severe drought conditions , resulting in the loss of millions of hectares of crops and forcing water restrictions in regions such as Catalonia and Andalusia.
The phenomenon has also put the national water infrastructure to the test . Despite having an extensive system of dams and canals, Spain only manages to utilize 9% of its rainwater , well below the European average. Reservoir levels have fluctuated in recent months: while winter and spring rains allowed for some recovery, localized problems persist in areas such as the upper reaches of the Guadiana River and the floodplains of the Genil River. Experts such as the National Federation of Irrigation Communities insist that it is urgent to invest in large-capacity reservoirs and modernize agricultural irrigation management.
Social and unequal impact: women, children and the most vulnerable
The consequences of drought extend far beyond failed harvests and water restrictions . Numerous reports highlight the human toll: in West and Southern Africa, for example, more than 90 million people suffer from acute hunger directly resulting from lack of rain and crop failure. In Somalia alone, 43.000 hunger-related deaths were recorded in 2022.
Water scarcity is driving many families to make extreme decisions, such as increasing forced child marriages in countries like Ethiopia, where dowries have become a survival strategy. International organizations and NGOs warn that adaptation must address inequalities and have a strong gender focus.
In Latin America, the Amazon has suffered record drops in river levels, hindering access to drinking water and sanitation services in many communities. Drought acts as a "silent killer ," exacerbating social inequalities and putting social and health protection systems to the test across all affected continents.
Climate change and El Niño: adding fuel to the fire
One of the distinctive features of the current crisis is the convergence of the El Niño phenomenon with the structural effects of climate change . This combination has intensified drought episodes in crucial agricultural areas, such as the Guadalquivir Valley, Southwest Asia, and the Amazon basin, with consequences for global food and energy security.
In Zambia, the reduced flow of the Zambezi River has caused power outages of up to 21 hours a day, affecting hospitals and factories and leaving millions without electricity. Similar situations are occurring in India, Mexico, and the southern United States, where agricultural production and international food prices are being impacted by increasingly uncertain water availability. The management of the primary sector is also affected by these extreme events.
Adapt and prepare: challenges and proposals for the future
Experts emphasize that, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions is crucial, some of the effects of drought are already unavoidable and require adaptation measures . Among the recommendations are the development of early warning systems , real-time monitoring of water stress, and a commitment to nature-based solutions : from restoring river basins to promoting more resilient native crops.
It is also necessary to modernize resilient infrastructure to minimize losses and guarantee supply even in critical situations. Investing in distribution networks and pipelines , promoting water reuse, and improving energy efficiency are key steps. At the political level, the Spanish Government and the European Commission have promoted the idea of ​​a National Water Pact and international cooperation, in addition to strengthening funding for water security projects.
