The Intersection of Conflict and Climate Change: Rising Malaria Deaths in Ethiopia
The ongoing conflict in Ethiopia’s Oromia region is severely hindering access to malaria treatment, leading to a surge in deaths. The World Health Organization reports that malaria cases and fatalities have doubled, with Oromia accounting for nearly half. Climate change is also exacerbating the situation, creating favorable conditions for malaria-carrying mosquitoes. The recent U.S. funding cuts are likely to worsen health outcomes in the region, impacting both malaria and other communicable diseases.
ADDIS ABABA, March 4 — Lema Tefera’s voice trembled as he recounted the devastating loss of four children to malaria within a month, a tragedy that could have been averted if the conflict in Ethiopia’s Oromia region had not impeded access to medical care. “There was no malaria medication and treatment in our village due to the fighting,” the farmer shared with AFP. This highlights the profound impact of ongoing violence on healthcare accessibility.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that Africa bears approximately 95 percent of the 250 million malaria cases and over 600,000 fatalities globally each year. In Oromia, a region plagued by conflict since 2018 between the government and the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA), health services have been severely affected, exacerbating the malaria crisis. This has led to an alarming increase in fatalities amidst already high case numbers.
Experts working on the ground warn that the convergence of violent conflict and climate change is creating a perilous situation for vulnerable populations, particularly subsistence farmers like Lema. His village, Lalistu Lophi, is among many suffering from inadequate healthcare, which is critical in battling diseases such as malaria. Lema expressed, “It was the worst situation I have ever experienced,” a sentiment that resonates throughout the region.
Current statistics reveal a staggering increase in malaria cases, with the WHO recording approximately 7.3 million cases and 1,157 deaths in Ethiopia between January and October of the previous year. These numbers have doubled since 2023, with Oromia accounting for nearly half of the total. The region has suffered a destruction of health facilities, as cited by Gemechu Biftu, executive director of the Oromia Physicians Association.
Due to ongoing conflict, essential supplies of anti-malarial drugs have been interrupted. With no cessation of the violence in sight, as the government labels the OLA a terrorist organization, efforts for peace meetings have proven fruitless. Dr. Legesse Bulcha of Nejo General Hospital reported a significant surge in malaria incidents, with the disease now constituting 70 percent of patient cases in his facility, a dramatic rise from previous years.
In addition to the conflict, climate change is significantly compounding the malaria crisis, encouraging conditions that allow malaria-carrying mosquitoes to thrive. Legesse noted, “Unlike before, there are still significant numbers of cases during the dry season.” The persistence of malaria in new areas underscores the escalating threat posed by climate shifts.
Doctors Without Borders (MSF) Ethiopia Coordinator Rachelle Seguin stated that 2024 is projected to witness the highest rates of malaria recorded. She remarked, “I think it’s a little bit the perfect storm: you have increasing temperatures, you’ve had conflict in the country for years.” The urgency heightens as the next rainy season approaches, potentially exacerbating the situation.
The recent freeze of United States aid funding, ordered by former President Trump, threatens to worsen the malaria crisis further. Nuredin Luke, an Oromia-based physician, highlighted that this cut significantly increases morbidity and mortality rates not only tied to malaria but also to various communicable diseases dependent on USAID funding. Given the U.S. previously provided around 40 percent of global funding for malaria control, the ramifications are dire.
In his remote village, Lema continues to endure immense grief and sorrow. Unable to work his farm, he relies on family for support amidst his struggles with depression stemming from the loss of his children. “I have not been able to recover from the grief,” he lamented, showcasing the deep human cost of this ongoing crisis.
The combination of protracted conflict and climate change has precipitated a severe malaria crisis in Ethiopia’s Oromia region. Limited access to medical treatment due to violence has led to a dramatic increase in malaria cases and related deaths. The situation is exacerbated by funding cuts, leaving the local population vulnerable to the impacts of both disease and disruptions to healthcare. Urgent action is necessary to address these challenges and mitigate further suffering.
Original Source: www.malaymail.com
