The Greater Horn of Africa Facing the Worst Climate Related Health Crisis in Four Decades?

FOR the first time in 40 years, four consecutive seasons of below-normal rains have been recorded in the Greater Horn of Africa (GHoA) countries.

Most parts of the region are battling the worst drought with an unprecedented fifth rainy season failure now anticipated.

The continued deterioration of the nutrition situation in the GHoA is driving an increase of severe acute malnutrition admissions in Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda.

A detailed analysis by the World Health Organisation (WHO) indicates that the number of reported disease outbreaks and climate-related health emergencies in the GHoA have reached their highest-ever level this century, deepening a health crisis in a region where 47 million people are already facing acute hunger.

According to WHO, the seven countries have recorded 39 outbreaks, flooding and other acute public health events between January and October, 2022.

This is already the highest annual reported number since 2000, with two months left in the year.

Outbreaks of anthrax, measles, cholera, yellow fever, chikungunya, meningitis, and other infectious diseases account for more than 80 percent of the acute public health events reported, with drought, flooding and other disasters accounting for 18 percent.

“Climate change is having an impact here and now on the health of Africans in the greater Horn of Africa. The failure of four consecutive rainy seasons has scorched the earth and pushed people out of their homes in search of food and water,” says Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa.

Millions of children under the age of five years are facing acute malnutrition, increasing their risk of not only starvation but also of severe outcomes during a disease outbreak due to weakened immunity.

Malnourished children are more susceptible to common childhood diseases; globally, 45 per cent of under-five deaths are associated with malnutrition.

“In the past four years, the number of people facing acute hunger in the greater Horn of Africa have more than doubled,” the report states.

The WHO analysis indicates that vaccination coverage in the region of life-saving childhood vaccines is below the necessary threshold to prevent disease outbreaks.

“In most countries of the region, measles vaccination coverage is too low to prevent cases and all greater Horn of Africa countries have had to deal with measles outbreaks in 2022,” it says.

South Sudan is experiencing its fourth consecutive year of flooding with 40 percent of the country under water. Heavy rains and flash floods continue to affect tens of thousands of people across neighbouring Sudan.