International Day of Combating Sand and Dust Storms

Through the United Nations Coalition on Combating Sand and Dust Storms , 20 UN agencies and non UN organizations have joined efforts to foster global action against SDS. This coalition, established in September 2019 and currently co chaired by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific (ESCAP) , work on the following priority areas: identifying and analysing SDS source areas;  assisting countries in developing policy plans;  implementing effective practices for source and impact mitigation;  facilitating knowledge sharing and capacity enhancement; and  identifying vulnerable locations and populations.

The frequency of sand and dust storms (SDS) is on the rise in various regions across the globe. This rise is attributed to factors such as human-driven climate change, desertification, land degradation, and persistent droughts. These storms occur when strong winds lift large amounts of sand and dust from dry, arid soils into the atmosphere . They often carry these particles long distances, sometimes hundreds or even thousands of kilometers. The effects of these storms are widespread and often devastating. The World Health Organization estimates that 7 million people die from poor air quality every year , which is at least partly attributed to dust. Sand and dust storms pose numerous threats to human health , disrupt livelihoods, and wreak havoc on the environment. Managing these impacts is a major challenge , as human activity, and desertification in one region can trigger sand and dust storms that cause significant damage in remote regions.

 To mark the first observance of the International Day to Combat SDS , several events were organized around the world. The “Commemoration of the International Day of Combating Sand and Dust Storms” event, co-organized by the Permanent Missions of Iraq, the Islamic Republic of Iran, and Senegal at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, featured various speakers from organizations collaborating in the UN SDS Coalition. At the same time, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) hosted a series of regional webinars bringing together stakeholders from different regions. In line with the observation of the day, the UNCCD launched the new SDS Toolbox , a result of its collaboration with SDS Coalition partners. The toolbox provides a comprehensive set of tools, strategies, and guidelines for understanding and mitigating the impact of SDS . Ibrahim Thiaw, Executive Secretary of the UNCCD, extended a warm welcome to this initiative, stating, "We welcome the focus and efforts to ra...

Sand and dust storms (SDS) are common in drylands with dust often transported over great distances, frequently across international boundaries. Such storms are important for ecosystem functioning, but they also create numerous hazards to society, in agriculture and other socioeconomic sectors.The yields and productivity of crops, trees, pastures and livestock are adversely affected by SDS. With climate change it is expected that droughts and land use changes will increase the frequency and risk of SDS .While agriculture is a major driver of SDS, agriculture is impacted by SDS and it is also part of the solution to combat SDS risks and mitigate their impacts . This guide aims to provide an overview of sand and dust storms and the impacts on agriculture and food systems. It gives a review of how agriculture can create SDS sources and highlights the impacts of SDS on agricultural production in source and deposition areas . It includes a range of high-impact, location- and context-specifi...