Heat alert: WHO warns Central Asia residents

After the record-breaking heat wave that swept across Europe, temperatures are expected to rise even further. This week, temperatures in Portugal and southern Spain are forecast to reach 43 degrees Celsius, while in some parts of Central Asia, temperatures have already exceeded 40 degrees. The World Health Organization reported this.

In this regard, WHO Regional Director for Europe Hans Kluge held an emergency meeting with representatives of the European Commission, member states and civil society.

Many countries now consider extreme heat not merely a weather event, but a serious threat to public health.

It was noted that countries that have developed national action plans against heat waves are able to respond more quickly in such situations and protect their populations more effectively.

In particular, Italy has introduced a monitoring system in 45 cities to track heat-related deaths. Spain has strengthened efforts to inform the public about health risks, while Austria has introduced additional measures to protect workers from extreme heat. In France, interagency cooperation is helping reduce pressure on the healthcare system. In North Macedonia, assistance to homeless people has been strengthened.

“The necessary tools are available. The scientific basis is sufficient. If plans are developed and tested before a crisis begins, they save lives,” Hans Kluge said.

At the same time, fewer than half of the 53 countries in the WHO European Region have a national action plan against extreme heat.

Attention was also drawn to the fact that in many countries, the public does not sufficiently understand the dangers of hot weather, there is a shortage of cool shelters for homeless people, and healthcare systems need to be adapted to climate change. It was emphasized that elderly people living alone, residents of social care institutions and homeless people are at the greatest risk.

WHO said it will develop recommendations in the coming days for all 53 countries in Europe and Central Asia and will continue providing technical support to countries preparing national plans to protect against heat.

Earlier, it was reported that at least 25 people had died as a result of severe abnormal heat in the United States.