Sierra Leone launches Africa's first heat action plan

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. 

Sierra Leone's Vice President, Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, and Freetown's Mayor, Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr were in attendance. “Extreme heat is disrupting lives, straining healthcare systems, and threatening economic stability,” said Jallow during the event. Mayor Aki-Sawyerr added that the HAP signified a commitment by Sierra Leone to protect its communities and build a city that is cooler, greener, and more resilient.

According to Josephine Gauld, British High Commissioner to Sierra Leone, Freetown, the capital city, experienced record-breaking temperatures in January. Other cities across Africa are also at risk of frequent heat waves. By 2050, over 70% of Africa’s population is expected to live in cities, with heatwaves projected to threaten one-third of urban residents by the 2090s. A study estimates that exposure to extreme heat in African cities could increase annually by 20 to 52 times.

In March and April 2024, the Sahel and West Africa regions experienced extreme heat, with maximum temperatures exceeding 45°C and minimum temperatures reaching 32°C in Burkina Faso. Kayes in Mali recorded its hottest day in history at 48.5°C on 3 April. Between 1 and 4 April 2024, Gabriel Touré Hospital in Bamako, Mali, reported 102 deaths, a sharp increase compared to the 130 deaths recorded for the entire month of April 2023. While specific causes of death remain unreported, approximately half of the deceased were over 60, and heat is believed to have played a significant role.

A report by World Weather Attribution indicated that the heatwave in Mali coincided with Ramadan (fasting) and power cuts, which worsened risks for vulnerable groups, as well as those not traditionally considered vulnerable. Overnight, minimum temperatures remained relatively high, preventing any relief from the heat. The power cuts further hindered those with access to mechanical cooling, thus decreasing their capacity to cope.

According to the WHO, heatwaves are among the most dangerous natural hazards but rarely receive adequate attention because their death tolls and destructive impacts are not always immediately apparent. Heatwaves can burden health and emergency services and increase strain on water resources. Food and livelihood security may also be jeopardised if people lose their crops or livestock due to extreme heat. The WHO explains that exposure to heat can cause severe symptoms, such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke, as well as dry, warm skin, due to the body’s inability to regulate high temperatures.

In Africa, there is still limited data available on heat-related deaths. However, a study published on 3 September, 2024, by Nature has revealed that heat waves contribute to a number of neonatal deaths in the region. Researchers at Karolinska Institutet, a medical university in Sweden, found a concerning correlation between high temperatures in the final week of pregnancy and an increased risk of stillbirth and early neonatal mortality.

The study, which included over 138,000 births at 16 hospitals in Benin, Malawi, Tanzania, and Uganda, analysed the association between high temperatures in the week before birth and perinatal mortality. It found that babies whose mothers were exposed to high temperatures the week prior to childbirth had a 34% higher risk of perinatal death.

Rapid urbanization and loss of green spaces in African cities have increased the urban heat island effect. Coupled with high vulnerability, this highlights the need for sustainable urban planning that integrates green spaces, and building designs that account for high temperatures.

The urban heat island effect is a phenomenon in which urban areas in Africa experience significantly higher temperatures than the surrounding rural regions. To mitigate the urban heat island effect, cities should increase vegetation to enhance cooling, boost biodiversity, and improve air quality. Sierra Leone's Heat Action Plan is a bold initiative, and we look forward to seeing it implemented.