Protecting health from climate change: a seven-country initiative in the eastern part of the WHO European Region

All countries in the WHO European Region are observing an increase in temperature, with projected further significant increases. The type and severity of climate change risks for human health vary widely across the Region.

The seven-country initiative of WHO/Europe and the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) aims to protect health from climate change through addressing adaptation, strengthening of health systems and building institutional capacity.

Countries involved are Albania, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, the Russian Federation, Tajikistan, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Uzbekistan.

Preliminary results were presented at the 2010 Fifth Ministerial Conference for Environment and Health in Parma, Italy, and further results were published in the report Protecting health from climate change: A seven-country initiative (2013).

Roles

WHO/Europe coordinates the projects, contributing to the implementation of the WHO workplan on climate change and health. It also provides technical assistance, guidance, training and expertise.

In each country, a multisectoral steering committee is established, and a project coordinator oversees implementation at the national level. Country coordinators are supported by WHO/Europe. All activities will be implemented in collaboration with the BMU and the national Governments of the seven countries.