In early October, Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI) welcomed the WEMA project consortium to its Durban campus. Launched in April 2024, this 36-month project aims to explore the impact of extreme weather events (EWEs) on the mental health of vulnerable populations in Burkina Faso, Mozambique, Kenya and South Africa.

As climate change intensifies, the frequency and severity of heatwaves, floods, and droughts are expected to rise, disproportionately affecting resource-poor settings already grappling with various health challenges. Often overlooked, the mental health repercussions of these events are significant and demand attention.

The WEMA project is a collaborative effort involving seven partners:

  • AHRI (Africa Health Research Institute)
  • APHRC (African Population and Health Research Center)
  • CRSN (Centre de Recherche en Santé de Nouna)
  • CSM (Comité Para Saúde de Moçambique)
  • University of Stellenbosch
  • HIGH (Heidelberg Institute of Global Health)
  • Bhekisisa Centre for Health Journalism

Together, these partners bring a wealth of expertise and resources to address the complex challenges posed by climate change and its impact on mental health in Africa.

“We hope that the WEMA project will shine a light on the direct impact of extreme weather events on mental health,” said WEMA principal investigator and AHRI faculty member, Prof Collins Iwuji.

The WEMA project’s findings will be crucial in shaping effective responses and policies, ensuring that mental health is a key component of climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts.