Rusting boats lying in the desert which used to be the Aral Sea, Moynaq, Uzbekistan, Central Asia, Asia

Rusting boats lying in the desert which used to be the Aral Sea, Moynaq, Uzbekistan, Central Asia, Asia

Tuscan parched landscape sun-baked soil in Val D'Orcia, Tuscany, Italy

Typical Tuscan landscape near San Quirico D'Orcia in Val D'Orcia, Tuscany, Italy

Journey in 4-wheel drive vehicles through the Sahara Desert in Upper Volta, now re-named Burkina Faso

Tuscan parched landscape sun-baked soil in Val D'Orcia, Tuscany, Italy

Tuscan parched landscape sun-baked soil in Val D'Orcia, Tuscany, Italy

Typical Tuscan parched landscape near Pienza in Val D'Orcia, Tuscany, Italy

Tuscan parched landscape sun-baked soil in Val D'Orcia, Tuscany, Italy

Olive trees at Pontignanello in Chianti, Tuscany, Italy

Mountain sheep herded by shepherd near Portizia de la Reina on Picos de Europa mountains, in Castilla y Leon, Northern Spain

Lone tree in a Tuscan landscape near San Quirico D'Orcia in Val D'Orcia, Tuscany, Italy

Undulating hills by San Quirico d'Orcia, in the Val D'Orcia area of Tuscany, Italy

Tuscan parched landscape sun-baked soil in Val D'Orcia, Tuscany, Italy

Undulating hills by San Quirico d'Orcia, in the Val D'Orcia area of Tuscany, Italy

Local people tend cattle in the Sahara Desert in Upper Volta, now named Burkina Faso

Drought and dried up riverbed of the Rio Saja, Saja River, at Barcenillas in Valle de Cabuerniga, Cantabria, Spain

Typical Tuscan parched landscape near Pienza in Val D'Orcia, Tuscany, Italy

Typical Tuscan homestead, Il Cipressi, and landscape near Pienza in Val D'Orcia, Tuscany, Italy

Muslims pray to the east during a funeral in the desert, Burkina Faso, formerly Upper Volta, Africa

Sand dunes in Sahara Desert, Morocco, North Africa

Earth of ploughed field, Wyck Rissington, Gloucestershire, United Kingdom

Spinifex grass grows in arid ground at King's Canyon, Northern Territory, Australia

Drought in Burkina Faso (formerly Upper Volta). A white Land Rover 4-wheel drive vehicle drives past a dried out carcass.

Lone young elephant drinking at a water hole at dusk, Botswana, Africa

Drought scene as a sandstorm engulfs donkeys trying to shelter by a tree, Burkina Faso (formerly Upper Volta)

Drought scene - two men walking past the dried out carcasses of dead cattle in Burkina Faso (formerly Upper Volta)

Locals on bicycles ride past carcasses of the bones of dead animals in the drought areas of Burkina Faso (formerly Upper Volta)

A local man wearing a sunhat rides a bicycle on the road to Sebba through the desert drought areas of Burkina Faso (formerly Upper Volta)

Ccarcasses of the bones of dead animals in the drought areas of Burkina Faso (formerly Upper Volta)

Young Thomsons Gazelle stuck in the mud of a drying river bed, Grumeti,Tanzania

Cracked earth and rocks in the Outback of South Australia, Australia, Pacific

Undulating hills by San Quirico d'Orcia, in the Val D'Orcia area of Tuscany, Italy

Undulating hills by San Quirico d'Orcia, in the Val D'Orcia area of Tuscany, Italy

Red Centre viewed from aeroplane showing clouds and red earth over central Australia

Trees mark a dry riverbed or Lugga which may only flow with water for a few days each year, Matthews Range, Kenya, East Africa, Africa

The Racetrack Point, Death Valley National Park, California, United States of America, North America

Dry river and beehive-like mounds in the Purnululu National Park, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Bungle Bungle mountain range, Western Australia, Australia, Pacific

Earth of ploughed field, Wyck Rissington, Gloucestershire, United Kingdom

Dried earth and potato crops, Holkham, Norfolk, United Kingdom

The Racetrack Point, Death Valley National Park, California, United States of America, North America

Stones, bark and leaves in dirt at King's Canyon, Northern Territory, Australia

Palo Duro State Park, near Amarillo, Texas, United States of America, North America

Cracked dried up soil, Ethiopia, Africa

The Racetrack Point, Death Valley National Park, California, United States of America, North America

Dry crops in a village in Africa, Talpia, Zambia, Africa

Dry ground near the Pitch Lake, Trinidad, West Indies, Caribbean, Central America

The Racetrack Point, Death Valley National Park, California, United States of America, North America

Reduced water level in Moraine Lake following a dry year, and Wenkchemna Mountains, Banff National Park, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Rocky Mountains, Alberta, Canada, North America

Primary school, Lome, Togo, West Africa, Africa

Algeria, Sahara, Tassili M'ajjer, 600 Km East Of Djanet Oasis, Tuareg Driver Looking At Camels Bones

Algeria, Sahara, Hoggar, Tamanrasset, River Flooding After Heavy Rains First Time After 8 Years Drought

Gabbra tribe, keny

Kenya,dadaab refugees camp, somalian border gtz hospital ,the camps were set up around the town of dadaab beginning in 1991 when civil wars erupted on a grand scale in somalia (16 rival factions were involved). The wars, along with a prolonged drought, forced more than 900,000 somalis to flee to neighboring countries. Approximately 400,000 of them, many of whom were in a serious state of exhaustion and starvation, took refuge in kenya. Since then, a majority have returned to their country. However, some 131,000 somalis remain in kenya, and 110,000 are in dadaab, along with some sudanese, ugandans, and about 3,000 ethiopians women waiting the receive care from gtz ngo at the local hospital

Kenya,dadaab refugees camp, somalian border gtz hospital ,the camps were set up around the town of dadaab beginning in 1991 when civil wars erupted on a grand scale in somalia (16 rival factions were involved). The wars, along with a prolonged drought, forced more than 900,000 somalis to flee to neighboring countries. Approximately 400,000 of them, many of whom were in a serious state of exhaustion and starvation, took refuge in kenya. Since then, a majority have returned to their country. However, some 131,000 somalis remain in kenya, and 110,000 are in dadaab, along with some sudanese, ugandans, and about 3,000 ethiopians women waiting the receive care from gtz ngo at the local hospital

Women fetching water early in the morning. The wells in this area are empty during the dry season,forcing women to walk very long distance to fetch water in the nearest river bed. Ethiopia

Kenya,dadaab refugees camp, somalian border gtz hospital ,the camps were set up around the town of dadaab beginning in 1991 when civil wars erupted on a grand scale in somalia (16 rival factions were involved). The wars, along with a prolonged drought, forced more than 900,000 somalis to flee to neighboring countries. Approximately 400,000 of them, many of whom were in a serious state of exhaustion and starvation, took refuge in kenya. Since then, a majority have returned to their country. However, some 131,000 somalis remain in kenya, and 110,000 are in dadaab, along with some sudanese, ugandans, and about 3,000 ethiopians women waiting the receive care from gtz ngo at the local hospital

Kenya,dadaab refugees camp, somalian border gtz hospital ,the camps were set up around the town of dadaab beginning in 1991 when civil wars erupted on a grand scale in somalia (16 rival factions were involved). The wars, along with a prolonged drought, forced more than 900,000 somalis to flee to neighboring countries. Approximately 400,000 of them, many of whom were in a serious state of exhaustion and starvation, took refuge in kenya. Since then, a majority have returned to their country. However, some 131,000 somalis remain in kenya, and 110,000 are in dadaab, along with some sudanese, ugandans, and about 3,000 ethiopians women waiting the receive care from gtz ngo at the local hospital

Kenya,dadaab refugees camp, somalian border gtz hospital ,the camps were set up around the town of dadaab beginning in 1991 when civil wars erupted on a grand scale in somalia (16 rival factions were involved). The wars, along with a prolonged drought, forced more than 900,000 somalis to flee to neighboring countries. Approximately 400,000 of them, many of whom were in a serious state of exhaustion and starvation, took refuge in kenya. Since then, a majority have returned to their country. However, some 131,000 somalis remain in kenya, and 110,000 are in dadaab, along with some sudanese, ugandans, and about 3,000 ethiopians women waiting the receive care from gtz ngo at the local hospital

Zambia distribution of american catholic relief services (crs) food aid at a center in mongu, during a time of drought and famine. (2002-3)

Kenya,dadaab refugees camp, somalian border gtz hospital ,the camps were set up around the town of dadaab beginning in 1991 when civil wars erupted on a grand scale in somalia (16 rival factions were involved). The wars, along with a prolonged drought, forced more than 900,000 somalis to flee to neighboring countries. Approximately 400,000 of them, many of whom were in a serious state of exhaustion and starvation, took refuge in kenya. Since then, a majority have returned to their country. However, some 131,000 somalis remain in kenya, and 110,000 are in dadaab, along with some sudanese, ugandans, and about 3,000 ethiopians women waiting the receive care from gtz ngo at the local hospital

A well next to a dried up river bed in the Anti Atlas mountains of Morocco, North Africa, Africa

A dried up river bed in the Anti Atlas mountains of Morocco, North Africa, Africa

A dried up river bed in the Anti Atlas mountains of Morocco, North Africa, Africa

A farmer's watering hole, almost dried up, on a farm near Shepperton, Victoria, Australia, Pacific

Kenya,dadaab refugees camp, somalian border gtz hospital ,the camps were set up around the town of dadaab beginning in 1991 when civil wars erupted on a grand scale in somalia (16 rival factions were involved). The wars, along with a prolonged drought, forced more than 900,000 somalis to flee to neighboring countries. Approximately 400,000 of them, many of whom were in a serious state of exhaustion and starvation, took refuge in kenya. Since then, a majority have returned to their country. However, some 131,000 somalis remain in kenya, and 110,000 are in dadaab, along with some sudanese, ugandans, and about 3,000 ethiopians women waiting the receive care from gtz ngo at the local hospital . wounds due to boiling water for tea . lots of kids get burned by open flames fires into the camp as they play around without parents control

Kenya,dadaab refugees camp, somalian border gtz hospital ,the camps were set up around the town of dadaab beginning in 1991 when civil wars erupted on a grand scale in somalia (16 rival factions were involved). The wars, along with a prolonged drought, forced more than 900,000 somalis to flee to neighboring countries. Approximately 400,000 of them, many of whom were in a serious state of exhaustion and starvation, took refuge in kenya. Since then, a majority have returned to their country. However, some 131,000 somalis remain in kenya, and 110,000 are in dadaab, along with some sudanese, ugandans, and about 3,000 ethiopians women waiting the receive care from gtz ngo at the local hospital

Kenya,dadaab refugees camp, somalian border gtz hospital ,the camps were set up around the town of dadaab beginning in 1991 when civil wars erupted on a grand scale in somalia (16 rival factions were involved). The wars, along with a prolonged drought, forced more than 900,000 somalis to flee to neighboring countries. Approximately 400,000 of them, many of whom were in a serious state of exhaustion and starvation, took refuge in kenya. Since then, a majority have returned to their country. However, some 131,000 somalis remain in kenya, and 110,000 are in dadaab, along with some sudanese, ugandans, and about 3,000 ethiopians women waiting the receive care from gtz ngo at the local hospital

Kenya,dadaab refugees camp, somalian border gtz hospital ,the camps were set up around the town of dadaab beginning in 1991 when civil wars erupted on a grand scale in somalia (16 rival factions were involved). The wars, along with a prolonged drought, forced more than 900,000 somalis to flee to neighboring countries. Approximately 400,000 of them, many of whom were in a serious state of exhaustion and starvation, took refuge in kenya. Since then, a majority have returned to their country. However, some 131,000 somalis remain in kenya, and 110,000 are in dadaab, along with some sudanese, ugandans, and about 3,000 ethiopians women waiting the receive care from gtz ngo at the local hospital

Kenya,dadaab refugees camp, somalian border gtz hospital ,the camps were set up around the town of dadaab beginning in 1991 when civil wars erupted on a grand scale in somalia (16 rival factions were involved). The wars, along with a prolonged drought, forced more than 900,000 somalis to flee to neighboring countries. Approximately 400,000 of them, many of whom were in a serious state of exhaustion and starvation, took refuge in kenya. Since then, a majority have returned to their country. However, some 131,000 somalis remain in kenya, and 110,000 are in dadaab, along with some sudanese, ugandans, and about 3,000 ethiopians women waiting the receive care from gtz ngo at the local hospital

Kenya,dadaab refugees camp, somalian border gtz hospital ,the camps were set up around the town of dadaab beginning in 1991 when civil wars erupted on a grand scale in somalia (16 rival factions were involved). The wars, along with a prolonged drought, forced more than 900,000 somalis to flee to neighboring countries. Approximately 400,000 of them, many of whom were in a serious state of exhaustion and starvation, took refuge in kenya. Since then, a majority have returned to their country. However, some 131,000 somalis remain in kenya, and 110,000 are in dadaab, along with some sudanese, ugandans, and about 3,000 ethiopians women waiting the receive care from gtz ngo at the local hospital .malnourrish child

Zambia girls hoeing field together. Kaunga mashi, shangombo district. The area had suffered drought and severe food shortages during the previous 2 years

Kenya,dadaab refugees camp, somalian border gtz hospital ,the camps were set up around the town of dadaab beginning in 1991 when civil wars erupted on a grand scale in somalia (16 rival factions were involved). The wars, along with a prolonged drought, forced more than 900,000 somalis to flee to neighboring countries. Approximately 400,000 of them, many of whom were in a serious state of exhaustion and starvation, took refuge in kenya. Since then, a majority have returned to their country. However, some 131,000 somalis remain in kenya, and 110,000 are in dadaab, along with some sudanese, ugandans, and about 3,000 ethiopians women waiting the receive care from gtz ngo at the local hospital

Badland scenery at Zabriskie Point at sunset in Death Valley which is the lowest, hottest, driest place in the USA, with an average annual rainfall of around 2 inches, some years it does not receive any rain at all.

Solar panels amongst Badland scenery in Death Valley which is the lowest, hottest, driest place in the USA, with an average annual rainfall of around 2 inches, some years it does not receive any rain at all.

The Mesquite flat sand dunes in Death Valley which is the lowest, hottest, driest place in the USA, with an average annual rainfall of around 2 inches, some years it does not receive any rain at all.

The Mesquite flat sand dunes in Death Valley which is the lowest, hottest, driest place in the USA, with an average annual rainfall of around 2 inches, some years it does not receive any rain at all.

A dried up creek that when it contains water, supports Pup fish, a highly adapted fish that can tolerate high levels of salt. Death Valley is the lowest, hottest, driest place in the USA, with an average annual rainfall of around 2 inches, some years it does not receive any rain at all.

Solar panels at the Furnace Creek Visitor Centre in Death Valley. Death Valley is the lowest, hottest, driest place in the USA, with an average annual rainfall of around 2 inches, some years it does not receive any rain at all.

An old wagon train at the Harmony Borax works in Death Valley which is the lowest, hottest, driest place in the USA, with an average annual rainfall of around 2 inches, some years it does not receive any rain at all.

The Mesquite flat sand dunes in Death Valley which is the lowest, hottest, driest place in the USA, with an average annual rainfall of around 2 inches, some years it does not receive any rain at all.

Solar panels amongst Badland scenery in Death Valley which is the lowest, hottest, driest place in the USA, with an average annual rainfall of around 2 inches, some years it does not receive any rain at all.

The Mesquite flat sand dunes in Death Valley which is the lowest, hottest, driest place in the USA, with an average annual rainfall of around 2 inches, some years it does not receive any rain at all.

Footprints and lizard tracks on the Mesquite flat sand dunes in Death Valley which is the lowest, hottest, driest place in the USA, with an average annual rainfall of around 2 inches, some years it does not receive any rain at all.

A decaying tree stump in a dried up meadow in Yosemite National Park, California, USA. Most of Califoprnia is in exceptional drought, the highest classification of drought.

An RV on the road near Badwater which is the lowest point in the USA being 282 feet below sea level in Death Valley. Death Valley is the lowest, hottest, driest place in the USA, with an average annual rainfall of around 2 inches, some years it does not receive any rain at all.

Lizard trails on the Mesquite flat sand dunes in Death Valley which is the lowest, hottest, driest place in the USA, with an average annual rainfall of around 2 inches, some years it does not receive any rain at all.

Solar panels at the Furnace Creek Visitor Centre in Death Valley. Death Valley is the lowest, hottest, driest place in the USA, with an average annual rainfall of around 2 inches, some years it does not receive any rain at all.

The Mesquite flat sand dunes in Death Valley which is the lowest, hottest, driest place in the USA, with an average annual rainfall of around 2 inches, some years it does not receive any rain at all.

Poor air quality caused by dust from the ongoing drought near Bakersfield, California, USA. Following an unprecedented four year long drought, Bakersfield is now the driest city in the USA. Most of California is in exceptional drought, the highest level of drought classification. 428,000 acres of agricultural land have been taken out of production due to lack of water, thousands of agricultural workers have lost their jobs and one third of all children in California go to bed hungry.

Lake Success near Porterville, Bakersfield is at 7% capacity. Ten years ago the water was so high you couldnt get a boat under the bridge. Bakersfield is now the driest city in the USA. Most of California is in exceptional drought, the highest level of drought classification. 428,000 acres of agricultural land have been taken out of production due to lack of water, thousands of agricultural workers have lost their jobs and one third of all children in California go to bed hungry.

Lake Success near Porterville, Bakersfield is at 7% capacity. Bakersfield is now the driest city in the USA. Most of California is in exceptional drought, the highest level of drought classification. 428,000 acres of agricultural land have been taken out of production due to lack of water, thousands of agricultural workers have lost their jobs and one third of all children in California go to bed hungry.

Cotton growing in California's Central Valley, which is in the grip of a four year long drought. The catastrophic drought means that no crops will grow without increasingly scarce irrigation water. Many areas of farmland have been abandoned due to the drought.

The California aquaduct that brings water from snowmelt in the Sierra Nevada mountains to famrland in the Central Valley. Following a four year long catastrophic drought, irrigation water is in short supply, with $2 billion annually wiped off the agricultre sector.

Lake Isabella near Bakersfield, East of California's Central valley is at less than 13% capacity following the four year long devastating drought. The reservoir has dropped so low, that the water level is below the outflow pipe.

The Kern Valley Wildlife Refuge in California's Central Valley was created as important resting and feeding grounds for wildfowl migrating along the pacific flyway. After four years of unprecedented drought, the water shortages in California are critical. The reserve has received only 40% of its usual warer, with the result that most of the lake beds are dried up and dessicated, leaving the birds few places to go. This is the only area of lake with any water left.

Lake Isabella near Bakersfield, East of California's Central valley is at less than 13% capacity following the four year long devastating drought. The reservoir has dropped so low, that the water level is below the outflow pipe.

The dried up river bed of the Kern River in Bakersfield, California, USA. Following an unprecedented four year long drought, Bakersfield is now the driest city in the USA. Most of California is in exceptional drought, the highest level of drought classification. 428,000 acres of agricultural land have been taken out of production due to lack of water, thousands of agricultural workers have lost their jobs and one third of all children in California go to bed hungry.

Lake Isabella near Bakersfield, East of California's Central valley is at less than 13% capacity following the four year long devastating drought. The reservoir has dropped so low, that the water level is below the outflow pipe.

Grubbed out Olive trees that no longer have water to irrigate them near Bakersfield, California, USA. Following an unprecedented four year long drought, Bakersfield is now the driest city in the USA. Most of California is in exceptional drought, the highest level of drought classification. 428,000 acres of agricultural land have been taken out of production due to lack of water, thousands of agricultural workers have lost their jobs and one third of all children in California go to bed hungry.