Southern African Countries Launch Climate-Resilient Health Initiative with WHO Support

Eight Southern African countries—Botswana, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe—have launched a $35 million, three-year initiative to strengthen climate-resilient health systems, Reliefweb.com reported. Supported by the Pandemic Fund and WHO, the programme focuses on early warning systems, disease surveillance, laboratory diagnostics, and workforce development.

Southern Africa, warming at nearly twice the global average, faces increasing climate-related health threats, such as droughts, floods, and cyclones, which exacerbate diseases like malaria and cholera. The initiative aims to address critical gaps in health systems, particularly in vulnerable nations like Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe.

Key components include establishing a Climate-Health Observatory for early warning and evidence-based decision-making, enhancing cross-border collaboration, and building sustainable health systems to withstand future pandemics and climate shocks. A formal launch event is planned for next month.