Global fight against heat wave in South Asia! ‘This’ major initiative announced by WHO and Rockefeller Foundation

• Global fight against heat wave in South Asia!
• ‘This’ major initiative announced by WHO and Rockefeller Foundation

Mumbai | February 2026: At Mumbai Climate Week, the WHO-WMO Climate and Health Joint Initiative, The Rockefeller Foundation and Wellcome, in collaboration with the Global Heat Health Information Network, announced two new joint initiatives to protect people from extreme heat, a rapidly growing threat to human health and economic stability in the South Asian subcontinent. These two new initiatives, funded by The Rockefeller Foundation and WELCOME, will strengthen South Asia’s capacity to identify, prepare for, and respond effectively to extreme heat and other climate and climate-related health impacts.

The South Asia Climate-Health Desk, established under the WHO–WMO Climate and Health Joint Programme, in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), India Meteorological Department (IMD) and other partners, will help more effectively translate climate and environmental information into action for health protection.

In support of this work, the South Asia Scientific Research Consortium, supported by a grant from The Rockefeller Foundation through the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Pune, will deepen the region’s scientific understanding of how heat affects diverse populations. These projects are the first two components of a broader and more ambitious regional strategy designed to address the health risks of extreme heat. This is part of a growing series of joint initiatives with regional initiatives of the Global Heat Health Information Network, and is the beginning of a well-planned science-based effort to protect communities. More information on this comprehensive plan will be announced soon.

Dr. Mrityunjay Mohapatra, Director General of Meteorology, India Meteorological Department (IMD) and India’s Permanent Representative to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said, “Extreme heat is a growing threat to life and livelihoods in South Asia,” adding, “IMD welcomes this partnership with IITM under the South Asia Climate-Health Desk, which will strengthen the science-to-service link, for faster health. Warning systems will be more efficient, and decision makers will be able to take timely actions to protect communities during extreme heat.”

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for urgent global action to address the growing threat of extreme heat worldwide, as the heat has a major health impact in South Asia, the world’s most populous region. According to WMO, Asia is warming almost twice as fast as the global average. As a result, extreme weather events such as extreme rainfall, heat waves are on the rise, putting increasing stress on the quality of life, livelihoods, health systems, economy and environment in the region, especially for the most vulnerable and exposed communities.

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Pre-monsoon temperatures in India and Pakistan regularly exceed 50°C, and heat-related deaths in the region exceed 2 million annually. At the same time, extreme heat is also affecting economic stability and productivity. In 2024 alone, 247 billion potential workers lost earning hours due to heat exposure in India – resulting in reduced work capacity and an estimated $194 billion in lost income, according to a Lancet Countdown report.

Professor Celeste Saulo, Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organization, said, “Few regions experience the effects of extreme heat like South Asia, and I welcome the determination to tackle this situation. We know that every death from extreme heat is preventable, and the Heat Health Action Plan is saving lives,” adding, “Countries must bring together science, government leadership and support, and community action. It shows that challenges can be dealt with effectively.”

Tackling extreme heat requires concerted efforts and concerted action from various sectors. This integrated effort provides governments, public service systems, communities and health systems with the necessary, actionable information to prevent preventable diseases and save lives.

1. Inaugural South Asia Climate–Health Desk

Representing one of the first units to be launched in the climate and health research and development (R&D) and implementation sectors as part of the joint venture, the unit will strengthen the capacities of various stakeholders to co-create, standardize and share health-related and targeted climate and long-term climate information. So communities, health authorities and health services can effectively deal with and act early on before and during extreme heat events, as well as other climate-related health risks, such as increased disease associated with them.

2. South Asia Scientific Research Organization

Led by IISER Pune, a consortium of research institutes including the MS Swaminathan Research Foundation and IITM will conduct an in-depth study of how heat affects people in South Asia — including where they live, what they do, and what different conditions they face. By developing custom heat-risk thresholds, the organization aims to eventually strengthen heat action plans, early warning systems and preparedness efforts, so that communities and organizations can better deal with rising temperatures in the world’s most heat-sensitive regions.

The Rockefeller Foundation and Wellcome have invested $11.5 million in the WHO-WMO Climate and Health Joint Program, which aims to expand climate-based health action in vulnerable regions. The two philanthropic organizations have provided funding to develop new models of science-based collaboration between health partners and climate departments. This will provide critical climate information that health systems need to protect communities and save lives, and help bridge the gap in both sectors.

Through the establishment of these initiatives, South Asia is at the forefront of implementing this integrated climate-health approach that links research, climate monitoring and forecasting, and health response to protect people from the health risks posed by climate change and instability.

Senior Vice President for Health at The Rockefeller Foundation Dr. Naveen Rao said, “Following the most deadly heat waves in India and across South Asia over the last ten years, it is clear that traditional public health approaches are no longer sufficient. To protect India’s most vulnerable communities, we need to rethink how we deliver health care and deliver the measures urgently needed today to frontline providers and patients,” adding, “Through our support to our joint initiative, we can put modern science to practical use and improve the health system climate in India and the region.” Want to help prepare for change.”

Director of Welcome Climate and Health Department Dr. Allen Dangor said, “Warming from climate change is a threat to public health, and threatens people’s lives and livelihoods around the world. In South Asia, extreme heat is having a huge impact on communities – especially children, pregnant women, the elderly, outdoor workers and communities with fewer means of livelihood.” He added, “We need to invest in science-based solutions that reduce pollution and build resilience, and that should be a core part of public health decision-making. Welcom is proud to work with partners and communities in South Asia to develop evidence, tools and solutions that will ultimately improve health and save lives.”

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