Global leaders on the COP30 climate change conference will give attention to the possible link between climate change and global health, a move that has been welcomed by the pinnacle of a charity that tackles leprosy.
Peter Waddup, Chief Executive of The Leprosy Mission, argues that the connection between the 2 has never been clearer, citing his experiences in Sri Lanka.
Higher temperatures, drought and floods have made parts of northern Sri Lanka particularly vulnerable and have contributed to the scarcity of food and clean water.
Climate change will not be the one factor bringing hardship to Sri Lanka nevertheless. It fell victim to the devastating Boxing Day tsunami in 2004 and for 1 / 4 of a century was engaged in a civil war, which only got here to an end in 2009.
Corruption, high levels of debt and mismanagement have also contributed to an economic crisis, which in turn has led to a political crisis within the country.
Poor harvests have began to guide to more poverty and malnutrition, which in turn weakens immune systems and increases vulnerability to diseases like leprosy.
Waddup said, “We’re seeing the direct impact of climate change on health. In the communities where we work, the crisis will not be imminent—it’s already a each day reality.”
Between 2022 and 2024, partners of The Leprosy Mission discovered 846 recent cases of leprosy – 99 of them in children.
The charity has been working with locals in a bid to assist alleviate the consequences of climate change, like teaching ‘climate smart’ agricultural techniques and inspiring the expansion of native crops with the intention to improve the health of the soil.
Other initiatives include cookery classes through which the locals learn easy methods to prepare nutritious meals, and “seed banks” through which locals borrow seeds from the homes of individuals with leprosy and, after harvesting their crop, return the seeds.
Peter Waddup adds, “Communities like those we serve in Sri Lanka are too often missed in global climate strategies,” he said.
“They’re excluded from climate-related disaster planning and underrepresented in policy discussions.
“But they’re those suffering most. Climate change is driving them deeper into poverty. We need governments to act faster and more boldly. The team in Sri Lanka is proving what’s possible with modest investment and shared knowledge.”
 and Nanthakumar are each disabled by leprosy and are proud to run the seed bank of their village. They are respected by all...){kind=link}