Nicaragua Faces High Drought Vulnerability Amidst Multi-Hazard Environment
Nicaragua is grappling with significant drought vulnerability, as highlighted in a recent assessment. The country is exposed to a complex array of hazards due to its geographical location and environmental conditions. These include drought, excessive precipitation, hurricanes, floods, landslides, and sea-level rise, compounded by soil degradation and limited water availability. The 2025 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) identifies over 2,500 communities with high or very high vulnerability. The country's disaster risk is exacerbated by the interaction of these hazards, necessitating an integrated multi-hazard risk-management system. The World Bank's ThinkHazard screening classifies several hazards, including river floods and earthquakes, as high risk in Nicaragua. The country is also part of the Central American Dry Corridor, which is particularly susceptible to drought, affecting agriculture and food security.