Health Crucial in Climate Action, MSF Says
By Sharon Atieno
With more than 250,000 additional deaths annually expected between 2030 and 2050 due to climate change, from undernutrition, malaria, diarrhea and heat stress alone, the need to prioritize health in climate action cannot be understated.
Further, the direct damage costs to health (excluding costs in health-determining sectors such as agriculture, water, and sanitation) are estimated to be between US$2-4 billion per year by 2030.
As such, Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) Eastern Africa and other organizations engaged in tackling the health impacts of the climate crisis – including the Kenyan Ministry of Health, the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross – will gather in Nairobi, Kenya to discuss future climate scenarios and work on approaches to mitigate the impact.
“Climate change drives emerging infectious diseases and amplifies existing health issues, straining healthcare systems and humanitarian responses,” said Rolland Kaya, MSF’s General Director Eastern Africa.
“Millions of people will be affected as extreme weather intensifies malnutrition, water shortages, outbreaks of infectious diseases, and forced displacements, all of which exacerbate existing issues like poverty and conflict.”
In recent years, Eastern Africa has faced severe climate impacts, including intense droughts, unpredictable rainfall, and increased temperatures, which have led to population displacement and infrastructure damage. The climate crisis, compounded by conflicts and other crises, strains humanitarian efforts, underscoring the need for innovative support strategies.
South Sudan, for instance, is the second most vulnerable country globally to natural hazards. Despite this, more than 2.2 million South Sudanese are internally displaced while another 2.2 million are refugees as a result of conflict and insecurity.
According to the Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan (HNRP) 2024, nine million people will require humanitarian assistance, with 7.1 million South Sudanese requiring food assistance according to the Integrated Phase Classification (IPC) projection.
Already, South Sudan has experienced consecutive years of flooding. The ongoing floods are set to make the public health, displacement and livelihood disruptions worse.
“Not only is South Sudan one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change, but it also has the least capacity to adapt to its consequences like rising temperatures, intensified droughts and unpredictable rainy seasons,” said Dr Maria Guevara, MSF’s International Medical Secretary.
MSF is calling for bold commitment to climate adaptation and healthcare funding, noting that if nothing is done, the health crisis in Eastern Africa will worsen, putting millions of lives at risk.
“The situation across these countries should serve as a wake-up call, highlighting the urgent need for climate action that protects not only the environment but also the health and well-being of vulnerable populations around the world,” the humanitarian organization said.
Similarly, in calling for global leaders to abandon the siloed approach to addressing climate change and health, the World Health Organization (WHO) stressed the importance of positioning health at the core of all climate negotiations, strategies, policies and action plans, to save lives and secure healthier futures for present and future generations.