Drought is a normal part of climate; an extreme climatic event, often described as a natural hazard. Drought by itself does not trigger an emergency. Whether or not it becomes an emergency depends on its impact on the local people, which in turn, depends upon their vulnerability to such a shock. Drought results in substantial impacts in both developing and developed countries, although the characteristics of these impacts differ considerably. The ability to cope with drought also varies from country to country and from one region, community or population group to another.