The health impacts of the climate crisis do not fall evenly. Vulnerable populations — women, children, ethnic minorities, and those in poverty — bear the brunt.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Philippines ordered restrictions on health workers moving abroad, a move that was strongly criticised by health unions in the country.
A study by researchers at the National Institute of Technology, Srinagar, published earlier this year, was the first to measure the levels of microfibres in wastewater from dhobi ghats and similar commercial laundries.
At the onset of the earthquake, the IFRC shelter, and disaster response teams were deployed to the impacted areas and emergency items and cash were delivered to the affected families.
The ‘Gajah Suchana’ mobile application enables the collection of biological samples from captive elephants for DNA profiling, creating a comprehensive genetic and morphological database.
UNICEF reports that eight in ten Afghans lack access to safe drinking water. Furthermore, over 64 per cent of the population is affected by drought, exacerbating food shortages and economic hardships.
The latest decision to block medical education further narrows the already bleak opportunities available to Afghan women, denying them a pathway to meaningful careers and independence.
The UN appeal comes at a moment when humanitarian funding is already stretched by multiple crises. While CERF has provided rapid support, broader donor commitments remain insufficient relative to the scale of projected need.
South Asia’s lead crisis is not inevitable. Experience elsewhere demonstrates that decisive regulation, industrial formalisation and community-level interventions can sharply reduce exposure.
The UN appeal comes at a moment when humanitarian funding is already stretched by multiple crises. While CERF has provided rapid support, broader donor commitments remain insufficient relative to the scale of projected need.