Today, Episcopal Relief and Development commemorates World Health Day. This year’s theme, “protecting health from climate change” highlights the challenge of keeping our global neighbors healthy in the face of the destabilizing force of the human footprint on the planet’s ecological balance.

Climate change poses a unique set of health threats. From increasing the incidence of extremely destructive weather-related disasters like floods and droughts to changing the patterns and severity of infectious disease outbreaks, climate change is already impacting the health of people around the world.

“Many of Episcopal Relief and Development’s Africa partners report that they are experiencing increasingly long and frequent periods of drought, as well as there being more flash floods,” says Janette O’Neill, Program Director for Africa at Episcopal Relief and Development. “In the first three months of 2008, emergency support has been needed to cope with flooding in Mozambique, Zambia, Malawi, Angola and Namibia. In other areas rainfall is decreasing, becoming more unpredictable, and the seasons are less distinct,” reports O’Neill.

This unusual rainfall pattern has resulted in a decrease in available drinking water, disrupted agricultural cycles and declining crop yields. According to O’Neill in Burundi, changing weather patterns are enabling the malaria vector mosquitoes to spread into highland areas that were historically free from malaria.

By working to achieve Millennium Development Goals 6 and 7
–combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases and ensure environmental sustainability– Episcopal Relief and Development is committed to promoting the health of vulnerable populations while safeguarding the environment.

Together with the worldwide Church and ecumenical partners, Episcopal Relief and Development supports integrated programs around the world that protect clean water sources, reforest barren lands and encourage efficient use of farm land. Health programs fight preventable diseases like malaria and HIV/AIDS and bring health services to isolated populations. And when disaster does strike, Episcopal Relief and Development’s disaster relief and community rebuilding projects provide immediate and long-term support to afflicted communities.

To help promote health and protect the environment please make a contribution to Episcopal Relief and Development, online at http://www.er-d.org/ , or call 1-800-334-7626, ext. 5129. Gifts can be mailed to: Episcopal Relief and Development, P.O. Box 7058, Merrifield, VA 22116-7058.