Linking seasonal drought product information to decision makers in a data-sparse region: A case study in the Greater Horn of Africa

Abstract

Drought is a major natural hazard with impacts across many sectors in a society. The main goal of this study was to link users’ and decision makers’ requirements with scientific information for effective use of remotely sensed data in a data-scarce region. The specific objectives are to: 1) present preliminary results from drought forecast tool evaluations addressing users’ requirements in the study region, and 2) present the participatory research approach followed, with gaps and challenges identified. In this research, we used a participatory system design methodology that uses dialogue between managers and scientists on how to enhance the use of models’ outputs and prediction products and improve the delivery of this information to decision makers. In this participatory research approach, it was confirmed that the major barriers for the use of drought model products were lack of skill, lack of understanding, and lack of trust of the products. These information use barriers can be addressed by targeted decision makers’ skill development training and use of the available public media for increasing the awareness level on the availability and benefits of drought forecast products. Future research may focus on data dissemination and concept implementation as well as data management and information usability (i.e., addressing users’ requirements).