Title:
Exploring the Health Impacts of Extreme Climate Events on Children Under Five in the Sahel: Toward Adaptive Strategies
Authors:
Hariz, Emna
Place:
Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Publisher:
KIT - Royal Tropical Institute [etc.]
Year:
2025
PAGE:
viii, 53
Language:
En
Subject:
Health and Poverty
Keywords:
Children under five, Extreme climate events, Health impacts, medical humanitarian organizations, Sahel region
Abstract:
Background: Children under five in the Sahel face disproportionate health risks from extreme climate events (ECE), including extreme heat, droughts, and floods. However, limited evidence synthesizes their impacts on this age group and how emergency responses and program adaptations address their needs. Methodology: A literature review of peer-reviewed and grey literature sources, complemented by four key informant interviews with humanitarian health actors from MSF, UNICEF, IFRC, and Action Against Hunger, was conducted. Findings were analyzed by ECE type using the UNICEF climate change and child health framework, focusing on northern Nigeria, Sudan, and Chad. Results: Extreme heat was linked to malnutrition, dehydration, birth complications, and disrupted care delivery. Adaptations included vaccination campaigns, early warning systems, and shade infrastructure. Droughts heightened malnutrition (food insecurity) and diarrhea, triggering responses such as mobile clinics, therapeutic feeding programs, and community-led early action protocols. Floods increased malnutrition, diarrhea, malaria, and service disruption. Interventions included mosquito net distribution, mobile health brigades, WASH infrastructure support, and child protection services. Wildfire-related air pollution was associated with increased child mortality. Across contexts, anticipatory action remained limited, while local actors often led first responses. Interventions often miss maternal and mental health needs. ECE preparedness remains ad hoc and poorly integrated. Conclusion: ECEs like drought, floods, and extreme heat in the Sahel threaten child health, specifically malnutrition, diarrhoea, and malaria. and all ECEs hamper access to health care. Yet program responses remain reactive and fragmented. Strengthening anticipatory systems and community
Organization:
KIT - Royal Tropical Institute, VU - Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Institute:
KIT (Royal Tropical Institute)
Country:
Sahel Region
Region:
North-Central Africa
Training:
Master of Science in Public Health and Health Equity (MPH-HE)
Category:
Research
Right:
@ 2025 Hariz
Document type:
Thesis/dissertation
File:
wIRLuaNMRk_20251216111334852.pdf