Topic:
Country: Nigeria
Delegate Name: Emma Martin-Sharples
Climate change and infectious diseases have become increasingly dangerous threats to the world. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change discovered that over the last four decades, Earth has been becoming progressively warmer since 1850. The damages of changes in climate will potentially have negative effects on global health systems in handling issues such as malaria, cholera, and encephalitis. In a report from 2003, the World Health Organization (WHO) suggests that the rise in temperature, humidity, and climate for disease carrying mosquitoes will make the effects of infectious disease worse. With the ever growing problem of climate change and its negative effects on disease control, the World Health Organization must create a solution in order to provide care for countries hurt by the rise of new infectious diseases.
The Federal Republic of Nigeria has been experiencing flooding in it’s capital, Abuja, displacing families and damaging health facilities. Nigeria has been facing social and economic issues originating from these conditions worsened by the beginning of COVID-19 in 2020. This includes trying to rebuild houses destroyed by the floods while also managing the pandemic. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) reported that around two million Nigerians have been affected by displacement in 2012, this number continues to rise each year. WHO expects climate change to be the cause of about 250,000 more deaths per year from malnutrition, malaria, diarrhea, and heat in the years 2030-2050. Cholera and lassa fever have also been escalating with climate change as well as injuries and fatalities following extreme weather events such as heat waves and floods. Other water borne diseases have been appearing due to Nigeria’s worsening environment. This has put the country at a standstill causing difficulty controlling the floods and leading to an upsurge in fatal infectious disease cases.
Countries affected by climate change issues that directly contribute to disease related deaths are in need of a solution to improve the care provided to their citizens. The Federal Republic of Nigeria suggests implementing policies to monitor and reduce the negative impacts of the climate change and infectious disease crises. To mitigate these conditions, Nigeria must seek assistance in building more foundations to replace those demolished in the floods as well as more people to care for those who have fallen ill. By receiving help in attending sick and homeless people, Nigeria could focus its actions on finding training, better transportation, and food and water resources that result in health improvements. Doing so would prevent further social and economic crises and protect citizens’ health from climate fluctuations in the future.
