This UN Development Programme initiative helps drought-prone countries prepare for extreme weather events and reduce anticipated negative impacts. The website includes succinct overviews of drought-risk in individual African countries, as well as a comprehensive links section pointing to relevant networks, research centres, regional organisations and other sources of information, often in developing countries.

Haramata is published, in French and English, by the International Institute for Environment and Development — as part of its drylands research programme. Each edition contains news, features and commentaries on key challenges faced by people living in the world's drylands. Past issues have covered topics such as pastoral livelihoods, land and water rights, local decision-making, HIV/AIDS and biodiversity. The bulletin also features regular articles on technologies being used effectively for development in dryland areas, such as mobile phones.

Each issue of Haramata is published together with several 'Issue Papers' that present research findings, results from practical experience or theories about dryland development. Contributions for these papers are accepted from authors in all dryland areas.