Climate Crisis in the Horn of Africa is Causing Disease Outbreak

The link between the climate crisis and global health has become clearer with every extreme weather event, with the number of reported disease outbreaks and climate-related health emergencies reaching their highest-ever level this century. The World Health Organization's (WHO) analysis of the seven countries in the greater Horn of Africa - Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Uganda - found that there have been 39 reported outbreaks, as well as flooding, and other acute public health events between January 1 and October 30, 2022. Climate-related emergencies in the region have jumped by 30% between 2011 and 2022.

In November 2022, world leaders gathered in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt at the 27th Conference of the Parties (COP 27) to find solutions to the climate crisis. The conference ended with nations reaching a historic decision to establish a loss and damage fund, particularly for nations most vulnerable to the climate emergency.

This article originally appeared on All Africa

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