Brazil receives USD 300 million donation for climate health plan
Global philanthropic institutions announced on Thursday (Nov. 13) a USD 300 million donation to the Belém Action Plan for Health, launched by the Brazilian government during the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Belém. The initiative seeks to adapt health systems to the impacts caused by global warming.
The donation was announced by the Wellcome Trust, a British institution that funds health research, on behalf of the Coalition for Climate and Health Well-being, which brings together 35 million people worldwide.
“I am very happy that today we were able to announce a commitment of USD 300 million for integrated actions to combat the causes of climate change and its consequences for health,” said Alan Dangour, Director of Climate and Health at the Wellcome Trust.
According to Brazilian Health Minister Alexandre Padilha, the plan launched by Brazil is a global strategy to be adopted by any country interested in becoming a signatory, as a commitment to adapt its health system. The proposal has already received the support of 40 countries, as well as 40 institutions and social organizations interested in participating.
Padilha noted that the United Kingdom - current chair of the G20, the group of the world’s 20 largest economies - is among the countries that have already joined and will support Brazil in seeking additional signatories for the plan.
“We now consider climate change to be one of the main social determinants of health. We will use the BRICS partnership to mobilize more countries to join the plan. And, as part of its mission, Brazil is assuming its regional responsibility in the Americas,” said the minister.
In Brazil, the Belém Action Plan for Health will be implemented throughout the health system’s infrastructure, adapting facilities to the realities of each region - both in the construction of health units and in the way supplies are transported and data are collected.
“What we are saying is that climate change does not affect all populations in the same way,” Padilha emphasized.
The minister noted that resources will be prioritized for the most vulnerable populations, whether because of the region where they live or the social group to which they belong.
