Rockefeller Foundation Invests $5.2 Million in Groundbreaking Climate-Informed Health Initiative

The Rockefeller Foundation has announced a significant $5.2 million grant to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). This funding supports the Climate and Health Joint Programme in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO).

This grant complements a previous $6.3 million award from Wellcome last October. Together, these investments aim to enhance health-meteorological units in seven countries across Africa, Latin America, and Asia. The focus is on using climate and weather science to improve health responses.

Celeste Saulo, the WMO’s secretary-general, emphasized the importance of this initiative. “This partnership is a major step forward. Utilizing tailored climate services can help tackle urgent health issues, like heat-related illnesses and the spread of infectious diseases. By reinforcing early warning systems and offering better training, we can empower health systems to use climate data effectively,” she stated.

Recent statistics underline the urgency of this initiative. A report from the WHO shows that climate change is set to increase health risks globally, causing over 250,000 additional deaths annually between 2030 and 2050 due to malnutrition, malaria, diarrhea, and heat stress.

The collaboration between the Rockefeller Foundation, Wellcome, and WMO highlights a growing trend in addressing health and climate challenges together, showcasing how sectors can work in tandem for better outcomes.

For more insights, refer to the World Health Organization for detailed data on climate impacts on health.

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