Community engagement is essential in addressing the growing impact of climate change on public health, according to stakeholders who spoke at a summit co-hosted by the African Population Health Research Centre (APHRC) and Enhancing Learning and Research for Humanitarian Assistance (ELRHA) in Nairobi.
During the stakeholder engagement summit, experts emphasized that local communities particularly those most affected must be actively involved in climate adaptation and public health strategies. They noted that climate change continues to drive serious consequences, including food insecurity, mental health issues, water shortages, and heat-related illnesses.
Fatuma Kinsi Abass, Executive Director of the Pastoral Girls Initiative, underscored the importance of listening to and collaborating with local populations. “The most important thing is listening and learning from the community and acting together with them to create effective and inclusive solutions,” she said. “From shifting weather patterns affecting livestock to water scarcity and the rise of climate-induced illnesses, community members are the first to observe and respond to these challenges.”
Abass stressed that community insights rooted in lived experiences and traditional knowledge are essential in shaping effective and culturally relevant climate-health responses. “By involving communities directly, especially through trusted local partners, strategies become more resilient and impactful,” she added.
Alice Karanja, a scientist at APHRC, called for stronger policies that build climate resilience in food systems, land tenure, and livelihoods. She advocated for granting communities land ownership to enable long-term agricultural investments and food security. “We appreciate opportunities in policy and practice to adopt agroecology, agroforestry, and other nature-based solutions, particularly in dryland areas,” Karanja said.
The panel further urged for increased piloting of community-led solutions developed in partnership with researchers. These initiatives, they argued, are better suited to address local challenges and foster sustainable adaptation.
Stakeholders concluded that without meaningful community involvement, efforts to mitigate the health impacts of climate change would be less effective. Integrating local knowledge and leadership is key to developing long-term, inclusive strategies in the fight against climate-related health risks.
