Piloting Climate Change Adaptation to Protect Human Health in Fiji

Piloting Climate Change Adaptation to Protect Human Health in Fiji

Introduction

 As part of the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNDP, global project on public health adaptation to climate change, the "Piloting Climate Change Adaptation to Protect Human Health in Fiji" is working to increase the adaptive capacity of the health sector to respond to climate sensitive risks.

The Fiji project has been designed to increase the Ministry of Health’s capacity to monitor, assess and respond to hydro-meteorological disasters (HMDs) and Climate Sensitive Diseases (CSDs) and thus reduce health risks associated with climate change and variability.

Fiji is one of seven countries taking part in this Global Pilot. The seven countries, Barbados, Bhutan, China, Fiji, Jordan, Kenya and Uzbekistan, together represent four distinct environments (Highlands, Small Islands, Arid Countries and Urban environments,) and their related health risks.

GEF

Project details

The objective of this first global project on public health adaptation to climate change is to “increase adaptive capacity of national health system institutions, including field practitioners, to respond to climate-sensitive health risks”. This will contribute to the broader goal of ensuring that “Health sectors are able to cope with health risks resulting from climate change, including variability”.

Fiji Project Objective

To increase the adaptive capacity of the health sector to respond to climate sensitive risks.

Key Health Concerns and Vulnerability to Climate Change

Fiji has conducted a study looking at which afflictions have a clear link with climate change. Dengue fever, diarrhoeal diseases (food and water borne) and nutrition-related illnesses were all shown to be linked to climate and have the potential to worsen with increasing climate change and variability.

Climate change (and the associated temperature rise) will impact dengue-fever by increasing the frequency of epidemics, as well as the possibility that a larger proportion of the population will be affected by each epidemic. With severe climate change there is even a chance that dengue will become endemic rather than occur in isolated epidemics. Improper water storage practices in water stricken areas have also been associated with an increase in mosquito breeding sites and the risk for related diseases.

Diarrhoeal disease may become more common if Fiji becomes warmer and wetter and if droughts and tropical cyclones occur more frequently, disrupting water supplies and sanitation systems.

Nutrition-related illnesses are most likely to be affected by increases in frequency and/or magnitude of tropical cyclone and drought events. Further, it is also likely that if climate change leads to economic and social disruption and environmental degradation, disadvantageous effects on health may be serious.

Thematic Area
Area
Health
Climate-related hazards addressed:
Public Health
Level of intervention
  • National
Key collaborators
  • National Governments
Primary beneficiaries:

Communities living on Fiji’s inhabited islands

Implementing agencies and partnering organizations
  • Ministry of Health - Fiji
  • World Health Organization (WHO)
  • United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
  • Global Environment Facility (GEF)
Project status
Completed
Funding Source
Global Environment Facility - Special Climate Change Fund
Financing amount
550,000 USD

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Key results & output

Expected Benefits

The greatest national health benefit of the proposed project is having a functional Health Information System that is capable of generating Early Warning Systems for Climate Sensitive Diseases. Other linked benefits include:

  • Enabling field practitioners carry out required interventions as per requirement of EWARS Guidelines, the Psychosocial Intervention Guidelines.
  • Creating awareness amongst communities hence having communities that are more resilient to climate change and variability.
  • Strengthening both inter disciplinary collaboration and communication within all levels the Ministry of Health.
  • Strengthening inter sectoral collaboration at all levels with other key government agencies such as the Fiji Meteorological Service, the National Disaster Management Office.
Project Components:
  1. Climate change and health early warning and planning systems
  2. Institutional and technical capacity to manage climate change health risks
  3. Demonstration Measures to reduce vulnerability
  4. Regional Cooperation to address climate change health risks
Expected Outputs:

Outcome 1: An early warning system providing reliable information on likely incidence of climate sensitive health risks.

  1. Climate sensitive health risks/CSD reporting system with prediction modeling.
  2. Institutional strengthening of health and key multisectoral partners in data management across sectors.
  3. Timely dissemination of data and advocacy.
  4. Information systems supporting integrated assessments of climate change and risks in management and long term health planning.

Outcome 2: Capacity of health sector institutions to respond to climate sensitive health risks based on early warning systems improved.

  1. Clarified and harmonized institutional mandates and procedures to respond to climate risks to public  health.
  2. Health professionals in selected pilot regions have the capacity to respond to climate  sensitive health risks based  on early warning systems.
  3. Health professional in selected pilot regions have the capacity to effectively respond to HMDs and CSDs with specific attention on psychosocial intervention.

Outcome 3: Disease prevention measures piloted in areas of heightened health risk due to climate change

  1. Community members are aware of climate change on their community and take actions to make adaptations to minimize potential health risks.
  2. Community members are aware of CSDs, what to do when symptoms develop and how to take preventative  measures to avoid them.
  3. Community members are aware of the effects of climate change on their community and take actions to make adaptation to minimize potential risks.
  4. Detailed Communication Plans in place (for Outcomes 1-3).

 

 

Reports & publications

Project Brief / Fact Sheet
Climate change and Human Health Adaptation Project: Fiji Profile, 2011
Board Meeting Reports
Stakeholders Analysis - Fiji - March 2011
Newsletter
Weekly Health Updates from the Ministry of Health - Fiji - March 2011

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Monitoring & evaluation

Results and Learning:

This project has been designed to increase the Ministry of Health’s capacity to monitor, assess and respond to hydro-meteorological disasters (HMDs) and Climate Sensitive Diseases (CSDs) and thus reduce health risks associated with climate change and variability.  In order to be able to achieve this goal, several specific needs have been identified:

  • Mainstreaming and planning - Climate Sensitive Diseases need to be incorporated in the Strategic Planning stages of the Ministry of Health and specifically reflected in the National Health Outcomes as well as the Disaster Preparedness Plans and the National Contingency Plans for Drought and Floods.
  • Evaluation - National policies and plans have to be evaluated with specific attention to Watershed and Water Resource Management.
  • Assessments - Incorporation of Environmental and Health Impact Assessment (E&HIA) as an integral part of new land and infrastructure development approval, so as to address potential health issues, including those associated with climate change.
  • Response - Intensifying surveillance and response programmes for CSDs during HMDs and other disasters, and enhancing rapid and effective response, with specific attention to psychosocial intervention.

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