The Rockefeller Foundation and Canada's IDRC have committed $1.4 million to boost climate-health resilience in Senegal and Uganda.
Partners Launch Action To Safeguard African Health Against Climate Change
Climate change is straining Africa's health systems, and collaborative solutions are urgently needed. This week, the Rockefeller Foundation and the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) launched a $1.4 million partnership to protect communities in Senegal and Uganda from climate-linked health impacts.
Direct Investment To Strengthen Frontline Health Systems
The program allocates $700,000 to advance climate-health governance and evidence in each country.
Senegal will enhance data integration and technical planning, supporting the Ministry of Health's ambitions for resilient infrastructure and better strategic coordination.
Uganda will use funds for the Climate Health Access Initiative and its National Adaptation Plan, thereby helping to develop climate adaptation strategies for vulnerable groups.
| Country | Target Investment | Project Focus | Local Partners |
|---|---|---|---|
| Senegal | $700,000 | Climate-health governance, adaptation priorities | APHRC, CSE, Health Ministry |
| Uganda | $700,000 | Health National Adaptation Plan, resilience | CHAI, Makerere, Health Ministry |
Cross-Sector Solutions For Lasting Community Impact
Health and climate leaders stress that integrated action is key as Africa faces rising heat, new diseases, and droughts. "This will help strengthen and build resilience, ensuring sustained health access and security for vulnerable communities," said Dr. Didacus Namanya, Ministry of Health, Uganda.
Rockefeller's Manisha Bhinge added, "We are supporting both countries to access and deploy the financing needed to protect communities and build resilience."
| Challenge Area | Solution Required | Expected Result |
|---|---|---|
| Weak financing | Fundable investment cases | Unlock climate/health funding |
| Fragmented policy | Better sector coordination | Effective climate-health plans |
| Limited capacity | Evidence and technical training | Improved response and impact |
Building Capacity And Accelerating Climate-Health Funding
The initiative will also link Senegal and Uganda's progress with COP26/COP28 global commitments and practical guidelines for climate-health financing.
Local health authorities will gain the technical tools and knowledge needed to access new funding streams, building a bridge between policy and urgent, ground-level action.
Infographic: Making African Health Systems Climate-Resilient
| Driver | Stakeholder | Immediate Action |
|---|---|---|
| Governance | National Ministries | Integrate climate, health plans |
| Data Collection | Local researchers | Track and share best practices |
| Fund Mobilization | Global/Local partners | Develop investment-ready projects |
Path Forward:
Senegal and Uganda are redefining climate adaptation through health, proving that African-led innovation can turn vulnerability into vision. Their focus on building resilient health systems shows how evidence-based planning can protect lives and strengthen national capacity.
With international partnerships and targeted investments, both nations model how collective action can transform climate threats into opportunities, safeguarding wellbeing, resilience, and self-reliance across the continent.
