Funding for health and climate initiatives in Africa has become a critical issue, warns Dr. Cheikh Mbacké Faye, Director General of the West and Central Africa Regional Office of the African Population and Health Research Centre (APHRC). Speaking to the press about the recent COPs, Dr. Faye emphasized that "climate finance is increasingly limited in developed countries." This situation, he said, makes it more difficult to implement effective policies to protect vulnerable populations from the impacts of climate change.

Africa's vulnerability to climate change

According to Dr. Faye, "Africa remains highly vulnerable despite its small contribution to global emissions," facing "coastal erosion, extreme heat, and climate-sensitive diseases." This vulnerability underscores the need for dedicated funding to anticipate and mitigate the health impacts of climate change.

He points out that the production and use of evidence-based data play a central role in attracting and justifying funding. "Neonatal morbidity and mortality analyses help identify priorities, climate impact modeling helps guide investments, and collaboration with public authorities ensures ownership of projects and available budgets."

For Dr. Faye, the real challenge for Francophone Africa is twofold. It involves "strengthening the capacity to produce reliable data and mobilizing appropriate funding to transform this information into concrete actions." "Financial resources are limited, but the strategic use of data can maximize its impact," he insists.