“Climate change isn’t just about melting ice caps; it’s about real people and real health problems,” said Abdurrahman Ali Alhafiz, a climate activist and SDG advocate who’s also known as Climate Bender.
Speaking on World NTD Day, the 15-year-old shed light on the growing potential of climate change to create ideal conditions for neglected tropical diseases, or NTDs, shift disease patterns, and ultimately accelerate the spread of vector-borne diseases.
NTDs impact the world’s hardest-to-reach communities, with an estimated 1.5 billion people requiring interventions as of the end of 2023. While remarkable progress is being made — seven countries eliminated at least one NTD in 2024 with more promising progress in the pipeline — climate change represents a new threat in the fight to eliminate NTDs.
About the author
Rachael Perrett
Rachael Perrett is a freelance writer and editor with over a decade of experience in publishing in the U.A.E and U.K. She specializes in sustainability, food provenance, community, and health.
