Djibouti - Climate and health vulnerability assessment
The objective of the Climate and Health Vulnerability Assessment (CHVA) is to assist decision-makers in Djibouti with planning effective adaptation measures to address climate-related health risks. Climate change, combined with natural and human-induced health stressors, aggravates existing health burdens while simultaneously creating new health risks. Increasing temperatures, unpredictable rainfall, and severe climate-related hazards, which influence the geographic range and burden of a variety of climate-sensitive health risks, are affecting human health in multiple ways.
Recommendations to reduce climate-related health risks include establishing a climate-smart health system to reduce climate-related health risks and improve overall health service delivery. More specifically, the following activities could be prioritized: •
- Include adaptation and mitigation strategies for the health sector in the next submission of the nationally determined contributions (NDCs) and the National Adaptation Plan (NAP).
- Establish a budget line in MoH for developing and implementing climate and health action plans and interventions.
- Develop and implement national building codes and standards as well as climate-resilient certification systems.
- Establish a laboratory outreach system and laboratory facilities at the subnational level to improve the collection, transportation, storage, and processing of climate-sensitive disease tests, such as malaria, dengue, and diarrheal diseases.
- Use climate and health vulnerability as a criterion for developing incentives and retention packages for health workforce in areas that are highly vulnerable to climate-related hazards.
- Develop tailored early warning alerts that account for subnational climate-related exposures to facilitate quick response and preparedness at the community levels.