Climate justice

Extreme weather events are becoming increasingly frequent in South Africa — as can be seen through flooding and droughts. These extreme weather events have caused loss of life, loss of housing, damage to infrastructure, food insecurity, and challenges with water supply. They have also exacerbated the crisis in our public healthcare system.

During the flooding, for example, some clinics were shut completely as they were overrun with water. This left some public healthcare users unable to access health services, and others being sent home without ARVs or other medicines. Facility infrastructure, files, equipment, and medicines were damaged. Road damage and closures meant some healthcare workers couldn’t even get to the clinic, not to mention vehicles delivering medical supplies.