WHO warns Europe about a new heatwave: It could face deadlier weeks ahead
- 4 days ago
- 1 min read
The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that Europe could face “deadlier weeks” due to a new intense heatwave developing over the Atlantic.
WHO Regional Director for Europe, Hans Kluge, held an emergency meeting with representatives from 41 countries, the European Commission and civil society organizations to discuss lessons learned from the recent heatwave and preparations for the next one.
In a statement, Kluge said that countries with health action plans for extreme temperatures and heatwaves responded faster and better protected their populations during the June heatwave.
However, he said that fewer than half of WHO’s European member states are implementing such measures.
“The work now is on two fronts: fixing what failed in recent weeks before the next heatwave hits and building the kind of health systems that not only respond to extreme heat but are ready for it,” Kluge said.
Experts have announced that the heatwave lasting from June 20 to June 28 was the most severe ever recorded in Europe, causing problems in energy production, infrastructure damage and overwhelming healthcare systems.
France, the Netherlands and Belgium recorded 3,700 additional deaths, with authorities warning that the death toll is provisional and could rise.
“KORÇA BOOM”
