Extreme drought and water shortages are increasingly affecting crops, economies and people. In some parts of Australia, extreme drought has been ongoing for three years. This type of drought often occurs as a result of a prolonged meteorological drought. In many regions, including Sudan, South Sudan and Mali, prolonged drought is further exacerbating hunger. Underestimated droughts and ecological consequencesAccording to the German Helmholtz Institute, droughts are an underestimated extreme weather event.