Situations of humanitarian need frequently provide indications of impending conflict even before they develop into more serious threats to international peace and security. Early awareness of the root causes of conflict can allow appropriate preventive action to be taken. Provision of humanitarian assistance for such preventive purposes has made it possible to contain the impact of some emergencies. Another approach is the strengthening of the national capacity of disaster-prone countries.
The joint United Nations-Southern Africa Development Community drought emergency in southern Africa programme, under which comprehensive measures to mitigate the effects of drought, minimize the potential population displacement and avert famine were put into place in 10 countries of the region.