February 14, 2025

Sierra Leone launches Africa's first heat action plan

February 13, 2025

Sierra Leone has launched the first ever Heat Action Plan (HAP) in Africa to help tackle the rising frequency of heatwaves and related deaths in the country. Rising temperatures due to climate change have led to more frequent heat waves in Africa, resulting in increased deaths from dehydration, heat strokes and heat exhaustion.

  • The HAP was unveiled during the inaugural African Urban Heat Summit held in the country, an event which gathered policymakers, development partners, and climate experts from across the continent. 

  • Marking a significant step in addressing extreme heat challenges in rapidly growing African cities, this plan aims to mitigate extreme heat and protect vulnerable populations through infrastructure solutions, public awareness campaigns and nature-based interventions. 

  • Our take: Rapid urbanization and loss of green spaces in African cities have increased the urban heat island effect, which calls for sustainable urban planning… Read more (2 min)

The European Union has donated $4 million to protect vulnerable communities in the Greater Horn of Africa from hunger. Climate shocks, such as prolonged droughts and floods, have caused a severe food insecurity crisis, which has resulted in soaring cases of acute malnutrition, especially among children in the region.

  • The contribution by the EU has been welcomed by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development and other stakeholders.

  • The funds are meant to facilitate the launch of a 2024-2026 joint project by the implementing partners, who have also pledged $2.8 million joint contribution, to protect vulnerable communities.

  • Our take: This donation is a crucial step toward addressing hunger but long-term solutions are necessary… Read more (2 min)

The Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC) is funding eight projects across Africa to improve air quality monitoring and access to vital data. Air pollution contributes to a growing global health crisis, leading to deaths from noncommunicable diseases such as cardiovascular disorders and respiratory illnesses.

  • These projects, part of EPIC’s Air Quality Fund, aim to address Africa’s critical data gaps, empowering policymakers and communities to take action against pollution, which is recognised as the leading global health risk.

  • Supported by Open Philanthropy, Alpha Epsilon, and other donors, the initiative seeks to expand access to air quality data for 1 billion Africans by 2030.

  • Our Take: Investing in cleaner air is both a moral health imperative and a sound economic strategy…Read more (2 min)

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A health worker screens a child for malnutrition in Tawila, North Darfur, Sudan.

Events

Colombia hosts Second Global Conference on Air Pollution & Health (Mar 25 - 27)

Jobs

Belgian Development Agency seeks a growth operations manager (Rwanda)

Gates Foundation seeks Senior Program Officer, R&D Systems Advocate (Kenya)

Various 

The Journal of Climate Change and Health seeks original research articles that explore how health features in climate policy making and vice versa (Africa)

Seen on LinkedIn 

Kirigo Wachira, Chairperson Climate-Health for Federation of African Medical Students'​ Associations, says, “Imagine a world where health systems are ready to face the growing challenges of a changing climate. Climate-resilient health systems are precisely that: they anticipate, respond to, cope with, recover from, and adapt to climate-related shocks and stresses.”

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