Anticipatory Action for climate-sensitive infectious diseases: East Africa Regional Assessment

International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement

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Abstract: The East African region ? here comprising Djibouti,Eritrea,Ethiopia,Kenya,Somalia,South Sudan,Sudan,Tanzania and Uganda ? is home to approximately 370 million people,with some countries facing significant poverty and vulnerability to climate change. The region is facing various humanitarian challenges,compounded by the impacts of climate change,poverty,conflict and political instability. Extreme weather events,including droughts,floods,heatwaves and tropical cyclones are occurring with increased frequency and intensity,resulting in acute food insecurity and compromised water security for millions of people. Infectious diseases,such as cholera,dengue,malaria,measles,meningitis,Rift Valley fever,schistosomiasis and yellow fever pose significant health threats,particularly as they are highly sensitive to climatic conditions. Anticipatory Action is emerging as a crucial approach to preventing epidemics of climate-sensitive infectious diseases,offering the potential to implement preventive measures earlier and more effectively reduce disease transmission.