Report on the progress in the preparation of plans of action to combat desertificaton

Abstract

Drought and desertification are the most debilitating environmental problems confronting more than two-thirds of the African countries. There are more than 36 desertification prone countries in Africa of which 28 are classified as least developed. More than 200 million people live in this drought stricken areas, of which 10 million have become displaced persons. Thousands of them suffer from famine, malnutrition and diseases. A more serious problem is that tropical deserts experience extreme 1y high temperatures during the day. Average temperatures of 45-55 degree C are not uncommon. Evapo-transpiration is high and the air is a 1 ways thirsty. Unlike temperate deserts, there is no winter. Scientists trained in laboratories located in temperate deserts will still have to carry out the kinds of research activities alluded to above and particularly with regard to selection of sand holding plant species.