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Sand and dust storms (SDS): A transboundary issue of growing concern

Year of publication 2022

Place of publication Rome, Italy ;

Pages 4p.

Author FAO

Publisher FAO ;

Product type Brochure, flyer, fact-sheet

Revision First revision

Synopsis (short abstract) Sand and Dust Storms are complex environmental phenomena, the result of a series of interlinked natural and anthropogenic drivers operating at different scales. They have gained growing attention in the past decade due to their impacts on the environment and a range of socioeconomic sectors. SDS result in land degradation and production losses on croplands and rangelands. Transport is disrupted by reduced visibility and sand deposits that block roads. There are numerous impacts on health – for people, plants and animals – and dust deposited on solar panels results in less electricity being produced. Economic losses from a single SDS event can cost hundreds of millions of US dollars.

Last updated 27/05/2022

Language English

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    The Guideline aims to raise awareness on development challenges related to sand and dust storm (SDS) risk, vulnerability, and exposure that are often not fully appreciated or considered by policy makers. In addition to greater political attention, it underscrores the need for assessments and actionable data to address SDS hazards more effectively. The guideline is informed by scientific, technical, and evidence-based knowledge resources that have been produced by the UNCCD, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and members of the United Nations Coalition on Combatting Sand and Dust Storms as well as other partners and experts from around the world. The Guideline is voluntary and can be used by regonal, national, and sub-national authorities and actors responsible for designing and implementing SDS-related initiatives in key policy areas (e.g., agriculture, human health, infrastructure). It builds upon the UNCCD Policy Advocacy Framework for Sand and Dust storms which outlines the principles and enabling environment to prevent and reduce SDS sources and their socioeconomic impacts while improving productivity and resilience.
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    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-specific practices to reduce SDS source and impacts on agriculture subsectors at local level, comprising technical and non-technical interventions. Moreover, it assesses how SDS risk is addressed at the policy level and discusses options for integrating SDS at national and regional levels into multi-hazard disaster risk reduction (DRR) and disaster risk management (DRM) strategies or sectoral development programmes, followed by conclusions and recommendations. Urgent action must be taken now. Short-term responses need to be linked to long-term development actions to enhance combating SDS. The adverse impacts of SDS are likely to become even more severe in the future, particularly due to climate change, unless appropriate interventions are made.
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