COP28 Touching on Health, Relief, Peace and Recovery

On Day 4, marking a historic moment in COP history, there was a notable emphasis on health and health issues resulting from climate change. Diarmid Campbell-Lendrum, the head of climate and health at WHO, highlighted that in some instances, these issues can lead to death. Ironically, the skies over Dubai were noticeably hazy on this day due to high levels of pollution, stressing the impact of climate change on people’s health.

Due to rising temperatures, phenomena such as malaria, tropical diseases, and many others have been progressively worsening, disproportionately affecting underprivileged nations. This is where the concept of “relief” comes into play, reminding people of the importance of assisting vulnerable countries. Over 120 nations acknowledged their responsibility for the safety of others as global warming intensifies.

Funding for the ‘Reaching the Last Mile Fund,’ which targets neglected tropical diseases, has been increased. A total of 777 million dollars were pledged to aid 1.6 billion people, thereby advancing progress in nearly 40 African countries. Lastly, on the topic of peace, reports indicated that pro-Palestine protests occurred during COP28, demanding a ceasefire in Gaza. However, these protests were constrained by rigid guidelines.