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Drought

Persistent dry spells or droughts can have serious consequences for people's livelihoods, health, and safety. Drought occurs when water supplies from rainfall or other natural sources in a region are insufficient over a long period of time. Drought conditions are associated with water scarcity, shrinking food supplies, wildfires, conflict and increased risk of illness like heat stroke. Because this type of natural disaster happens slowly over time, its duration and severity can be very difficult to predict. Especially in impoverished regions, drought conditions can be very dangerous and exacerbate cycles of poverty and hunger.