By Teddy Namayanja
Humanitarian experts from across Africa are gathering in Kampala to develop a comprehensive strategy aimed at tackling the devastating effects of climate disasters and health crises on the continent. The meeting, organized by the Uganda Red Cross Society, is themed “Strengthening the Water Security for Africa Region” and seeks to address gaps in Water, Sanitation, Hygiene (WASH), and Climate interventions.
Commissioner for Water at the Ministry of Water and Environment, Tindimugaya, emphasized that regional government must integrate WASH and climate interventions to effectively combat these challenges. Dr. Josephine Okwera, Director of Health and Social Services at the Uganda Red Cross Society, echoed this sentiment, stating that integrating WASH and Climate interventions will swiftly address existing gaps and enhance community preparedness in disaster-prone areas.
“This initiative is timely, considering the significant impact of climate change on WASH-related health outcomes. In fact, the World Health Organization (WHO) has identified climate change as a major health threat, highlighting the need for countries to incorporate climate resilience into their WASH planning and policies” Dr. Okwera said.
Key Areas of Focus:
• Monitoring Climate-Resilient WASH: Developing strategies to monitor and evaluate WASH interventions in the face of climate change.
• Integrating Climate Resilience into WASH Risk Management: Incorporating climate resilience into WASH risk management approaches.
• Establishing Climate-Resilient WASH in Health Care Facilities: Ensuring health care facilities have climate-resilient WASH infrastructure.
By addressing these areas, the unified strategy aims to improve water security, sanitation, and hygiene across Africa, ultimately reducing the devastating effects of climate disasters and health crises on vulnerable communities.