Geneva, Switzerland (Enmaeya News) — The World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) are expanding their joint effort to bring climate and weather data into health systems worldwide. Their goal is to help 80 countries improve their ability to use this data to protect public health.

At the World Health Assembly, the Rockefeller Foundation and Wellcome announced a combined pledge of $11.5 million to support the WHO–WMO Climate and Health Joint Programme.

This funding will create operational “health-meteorological” units in seven low- and middle-income countries and promote stronger partnerships between national weather agencies and health ministries in up to 80 countries. The program will enhance early warning systems for heatwaves and climate-related disease outbreaks, while improving digital tools, training, and cooperation across sectors to boost health resilience.

In recent years, WHO and WMO built a solid framework, including a 2023–2033 implementation plan and the global ClimaHealth platform, to use climate data systematically in health decisions. The aim is to move beyond pilot projects in Brazil, Senegal, and Vietnam to fully integrated, long-term national systems.

With climate change threatening food, water, and disease patterns worldwide, WHO and WMO leaders say using climate science is critical to protecting public health. The joint program aims to create climate-informed health systems that save lives and improve resilience across regions.