Key facts
- Event
- WHO Health Emergencies EPI-WIN webinar
- Date and time
- Wednesday, 12 August 2026, 14:00–15:00 (CEST)
- Focus
- Preparing for El Niño and climate-related health risks
- Organizer
- WHO Health Emergencies Programme (EPI-WIN)
- Key speakers
- Dr Teresa Zakaria, Dr Heather Carlson, Dr Alex Camacho, Mr Alexandre Robert, Mr Altaf Musani
Background
The World Health Organization (WHO) is organizing a webinar titled 'Preparing for El Niño and climate-related health risks: global insights and country experiences' scheduled for Wednesday, 12 August 2026, from 14:00 to 15:00 (CEST). The event is part of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme's EPI-WIN initiative, which focuses on science and knowledge translation.
El Niño is a naturally occurring climate phenomenon that can alter weather patterns worldwide, increasing the likelihood of extreme heat, drought, flooding, wildfires, and severe storms in many regions. These events can have significant impacts on health, including heat-related illness, waterborne and vector-borne diseases, malnutrition, mental health impacts, and disruptions to essential health services.
As climate-related health risks continue to grow, preparedness and anticipatory action are essential. The webinar aims to bring together WHO experts and partners to discuss global health risks associated with El Niño, share practical experiences and good practices, and explore how governments, health systems, and communities can strengthen resilience and reduce health impacts before, during, and after El Niño events.
Webinar objectives and agenda
The webinar will highlight priority public health risks, including heat-related illness, waterborne diseases, vector-borne diseases, malnutrition, and disruptions to essential health services. It will also discuss actions that can be taken to strengthen emergency preparedness and anticipatory action, highlighting specific examples of past actions taken.
The agenda includes an introduction by EPI-WIN Science and Knowledge Translation, WHO, followed by a global risk analysis of El Niño and health presented by Dr Teresa Zakaria, Unit Head, and Dr Heather Carlson, Analyst, Risk Reduction, Humanitarian Operations and Climate Change, Humanitarian and Disaster Management, WHO Health Emergencies Programme (WHE), WHO headquarters.
Other sessions include a presentation on the 'Accelerator for Health Sector Operational Readiness ahead of the 2026-2027 El Niño' by Dr Alex Camacho, Regional Advisor, Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Risk Reduction, WHO/PAHO, and a discussion on enhancing climate resilience and environmental sustainability with examples from the Ngouri district hospital in the Lake Chad Basin, presented by Mr Alexandre Robert, Health Programme Manager, Climate Action Accelerator. Closing remarks will be delivered by Mr Altaf Musani, Director, Humanitarian and Disaster Management, WHE, WHO headquarters.
| Session | Presenter | Affiliation |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction | EPI-WIN Science and Knowledge Translation | WHO |
| A Global Risk Analysis of El Niño and Health | Dr Teresa Zakaria, Unit Head; Dr Heather Carlson, Analyst | WHO Health Emergencies Programme (WHE) |
| Accelerator for Health Sector Operational Readiness ahead of the 2026-2027 El Niño | Dr Alex Camacho, Regional Advisor | WHO/PAHO |
| Enhancing climate resilience and environmental sustainability: Examples from the Ngouri district hospital in the Lake Chad Basin | Mr Alexandre Robert, Health Programme Manager | Climate Action Accelerator |
| Closing Remarks | Mr Altaf Musani, Director | WHO Health Emergencies Programme (WHE) |
Potential health impacts
El Niño events can lead to a range of health consequences, including heat-related illnesses, waterborne and vector-borne diseases, malnutrition, and mental health impacts. These conditions may strain health systems, particularly in regions with limited resources or those already facing humanitarian challenges.
The webinar will explore how governments, health systems, and communities can strengthen resilience and reduce health impacts before, during, and after El Niño events. It will also promote collaboration across sectors to reduce health risks, recognizing that effective response requires coordinated efforts beyond the health sector alone.
Specific attention will be given to the 2026-2027 El Niño period, with a focus on health sector operational readiness. The example from the Ngouri district hospital in the Lake Chad Basin will illustrate how climate resilience and environmental sustainability can be enhanced in health facilities.
Future outlook
Scenario analysis: The possibilities below are not certain predictions.
If the 2026-2027 El Niño develops as anticipated, health systems in affected regions could face increased demand for services related to heat stress, infectious diseases, and malnutrition. The webinar's emphasis on anticipatory action may help mitigate these impacts, but the effectiveness will depend on the implementation of preparedness measures.
Should governments and health systems adopt the recommended practices, they may be better equipped to maintain essential health services during extreme weather events. However, if preparedness efforts are insufficient, disruptions to health services could occur, particularly in vulnerable areas.
The webinar could serve as a platform for sharing knowledge and fostering partnerships, potentially leading to more coordinated global and regional responses. Yet, the actual outcomes will depend on the commitment of stakeholders to translate discussions into concrete actions.
Source: who.int
खबर को बेहतर समझें
आंकड़े, तुलना और घटनाक्रम—एक ही जगह, बिना अनुमान के
Webinar timeline
- 01
Introduction
EPI-WIN Science and Knowledge Translation, WHO
- 02
Global Risk Analysis
Dr Teresa Zakaria and Dr Heather Carlson present a global risk analysis of El Niño and health.
- 03
Accelerator for Health Sector Operational Readiness
Dr Alex Camacho discusses readiness ahead of the 2026-2027 El Niño.
- 04
Climate resilience example
Mr Alexandre Robert presents examples from Ngouri district hospital in the Lake Chad Basin.
- 05
Closing Remarks
Mr Altaf Musani delivers closing remarks.
स्रोत:Source: WHO event page स्रोत-समर्थित
