Climate Change is Forcing Millions to Move, and Our Health Systems Aren’t Ready.
The planet is warming, and the consequences are far more devastating than melting ice caps. Climate change is a powerful force behind displacement, pushing people from their homes at an alarming rate. In 2023 alone, over 20 million people were internally displaced by sudden weather events. And this is just the beginning. By 2050, a staggering 216 million people could be forced to migrate within their own countries due to climate-related impacts. But here's where it gets even more complex: climate change doesn't just displace people, it amplifies existing vulnerabilities. It worsens food insecurity, fuels the spread of diseases carried by insects, and puts immense strain on already fragile health systems, especially in communities with limited resources.
And this is the part most people miss: our health systems, as they stand, are ill-equipped to handle this looming crisis. They need to evolve, not just to respond to emergencies, but to address the long-term, evolving health needs of migrant and displaced populations.
This urgent issue takes center stage at the upcoming COP30 high-level event, co-organized by the WHO Special Initiative on Health and Migration, UN University, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and the World Federation of Public Health Associations. This event delves into the intricate relationship between climate change, health, migration, and displacement. Drawing on the latest research from the 7th WHO Global Evidence Review on Health and Migration, the discussion will explore the entire spectrum of climate-related movement, from forced displacement to situations where people are unable to move, and its profound implications for fairness, preparedness, and access to healthcare.
Imagine a world where refugees, migrants, and displaced people are seamlessly integrated into universal health coverage and climate adaptation plans. This event aims to chart a course towards that reality. It brings together a diverse group of experts, including representatives from governments, UN agencies, and non-governmental organizations, to brainstorm practical solutions for building migrant-inclusive, climate-resilient health systems. This involves implementing the Belém Health Action Plan with a focus on evidence-based, equitable approaches, and addressing the social factors that influence health through inclusive early warning and response systems that actively involve local health facilities, civil society, and migrant communities themselves.
But is this enough? Can we truly build health systems that are both resilient to climate change and inclusive of all, regardless of their migration status? This event, moderated by Dr. Revati Phalkey, Director of the International Institute for Global Health at the United Nations University, promises to be a thought-provoking discussion featuring keynote speeches and a panel discussion with distinguished speakers like Dr. Santino Severoni, Head of the WHO Special Initiative on Health and Migration, H.E. Dr. Qasem Buhaibeh, Minister of Public Health and Population of Yemen, Loyce Pace, Regional Director of the Americas Region for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Hannah Marcus, Co-Chair of the Environmental Health Working Group at the World Federation of Public Health Associations, and Dr. Sri Hari Govind, Migration and Health Team Lead at the Migration Youth and Children Platform.
Join the conversation! In-person participation is available to registered COP30 participants with access to the Blue Zone. For everyone else, the event will be livestreamed globally, allowing you to be part of this crucial dialogue. Let's work together to ensure that health systems are prepared to meet the challenges of a changing climate and protect the well-being of all, no matter where they call home.
