The experiences in the development and implementation of drought and water scarcity management plan, in the Mediterranean, highlight the success and challenges of coping with drought for societies with different vulnerabilities and emphasize risk-based drought management as a critical approach to mitigate the impacts associated to drought-induced water shortages. Based on these experiences and the current legislation, management, technology and methods for evaluating risk, the document aims to assist in the development of drought management operational actions that link science and policy, responding to the growing issue of drought preparedness planning, monitoring, and mitigation.