Climate Change and Health: Preparing for El Niño's Impact (2026)

The upcoming El Niño event, a natural climate phenomenon, poses significant health risks globally, including extreme heat, drought, flooding, wildfires, and severe storms. These events can lead to heat-related illnesses, waterborne and vector-borne diseases, malnutrition, mental health issues, and disruptions to essential health services. As climate-related health risks escalate, preparedness and anticipatory action are crucial. The WHO's EPI-WIN webinar on August 12, 2026, aims to address these challenges by gathering experts and partners to discuss global health risks, share practical experiences, and explore strategies for strengthening resilience and reducing health impacts. The agenda focuses on highlighting priority public health risks, discussing actions for emergency preparedness and anticipatory action, and promoting collaboration across sectors. The webinar will feature speakers from the WHO, including Dr. Teresa Zakaria and Dr. Heather Carlson, who will present a global risk analysis of El Niño and health. Dr. Alex Camacho will discuss the Accelerator for Health Sector Operational Readiness ahead of the 2026-2027 El Niño, and Mr. Alexandre Robert will share examples from the Ngouri district hospital in the Lake Chad Basin. The event will also include a Q&A session and closing remarks by Mr. Altaf Musani, Director of Humanitarian and Disaster Management at the WHO headquarters. This webinar is a crucial step in preparing for the health impacts of El Niño and climate-related risks, emphasizing the need for global collaboration and proactive measures to safeguard public health.