The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that the Horn of Africa is one of the most vulnerable regions to climate change.
Liesbeth Aelbrecht, the WHO Incident Manager for the Greater Horn of Africa, highlighted the adverse effects of climate change on the region in a statement to the press.
Aelbrecht stated that the Horn of Africa is negatively impacted by climate change due to irregular rainfall, increasing temperatures, drought, and severe floods, making it one of the most vulnerable regions.
Pointing out unprecedented events in the Horn of Africa in recent years, Aelbrecht mentioned, “Following a four-year historic drought, devastating floods caused by El Niño occurred at the end of last year. In recent months, we have faced another crisis with destructive floods in East Africa caused by weeks of continuous heavy rainfall.”
Aelbrecht stated that approximately 1.6 million people in Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, and Tanzania have been affected by adverse weather conditions in recent weeks, with 528 deaths and about 480,000 displacements during this period.
Furthermore, Aelbrecht warned of an increase in epidemic diseases due to contaminated water.