Water-related hazards accounted for 62 per cent of the deaths and 96 per cent of the people affected and 75 per cent of total damage costs amounting to US$2.5 trillion. They contribute to overall water scarcity, stress water supplies, and affect agriculture and aquatic ecosystems. Proactive drought policies and drought risk management can build greater societal resilience to the effects of drought and reduce the need for an emergency response.