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    UNCCD Warns of Severe Health Impacts from Land Degradation and Drought

    A new UNCCD policy brief highlights how land degradation and drought are driving malnutrition, disease outbreaks, and mental health crises globally, with India among the most affected, losing 30 million hectares of healthy land.

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    Context

    • Recently, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) released a policy brief detailing the severe health impacts of land degradation and drought.

    High Risk of Land Degradation and Drought 

    • Rise in Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases: The policy brief highlights the wide-ranging health consequences associated with environmental stress:
      • Waterborne diseases: Cholera, trachoma, scabies, conjunctivitis.
      • Vector-borne diseases: Malaria and other mosquito-borne infections.
      • Respiratory diseases: Triggered by dust storms and wildfires.
      • Cardiovascular ailments: Hypertension, heart attacks, stroke.
      • Nutritional disorders: Malnutrition and stunting due to food insecurity.
    • Mental Health Consequences: Droughts often result in displacement, resource scarcity, and financial hardship, leading to increased mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression.
      • Prolonged drought in Australia estimating mental health-related costs to reach $198 billion by 2050.

    Impact on Children and Vulnerable

    • Children under five suffer from malnutrition and stunting linked to drought-affected agricultural output. 
    • Pregnant women face dietary deficiencies during food price surges. For example, in Zambia, maize shortages during drought caused infant stunting. 
    • Women and children are more vulnerable to health impacts due to limited access to resources and healthcare.

    India’s Vulnerability

    • India lost over 30 million hectares of healthy land between 2015 and 2019.
    • Nearly 854 million Indians were exposed to drought during this period.
    • The spatial overlap between drought intensity and child stunting highlights the direct link between land degradation and public health.

    India Response and Tools

    • India has introduced a Farmers’ Distress Index (FDI) to provide early alerts on drought and related stress. 
    • The FDI considers exposure to climate events, financial issues and mental health indicators. 
    • ]It aims to guide timely interventions to reduce farmer distress and improve health outcomes.

    Future Challenges

    • Rising aridity and land degradation threaten to worsen health globally. Without coordinated action, disease outbreaks and mental health crises will increase. 
    • Sustainable land management and climate adaptation are crucial to safeguard public health.

    UN Recommendations and the Sustainable Approach

    • The policy brief promotes the One Health Approach, emphasizing the interdependence of ecosystem health, animal health, and human health, as recognized by the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). It includes:
      • Integrated Policy and Planning: Harmonize efforts across environmental and health sectors.
        • Promote gender equity and community resilience.
      • Research and Capacity Building: Expand research on the health impact of land degradation.
        • Strengthen local capacities for mitigation and adaptation.
      • Financial Mechanisms: Mobilize targeted funding for land and health system restoration.
        • Support innovative financial tools to promote healthy land use.
      • Sustainable Solutions: Invest in land restoration, sustainable agriculture, early warning systems, and water management.
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