WEMA Project: Inaugural meeting
Prof Frank Tanser travelled to Durban to attend the inaugural in person meeting of the WEMA project.
This Wellcome Trust funded project led by Dr Collins Iwuji at the Africa Health Research Institute will measure the impact of extreme weather events on the mental health of vulnerable populations in Africa. The goal of this initiative is to highlight the direct impact of extreme weather events on the development of common mental disorders in vulnerable populations across Burkina Faso, Kenya, Mozambique, and South Africa. The team has built on existing partnerships and formed new collaborations to create a transdisciplinary group, including community members, climate scientists, psychiatrists, epidemiologists, and social scientists. Using both existing and new data, they aim to generate evidence that advocates for policies integrating adaptation strategies with community mental health care. By collaborating with communities, civil society, and the media, the WEMA team plans to amplify their findings and push for urgent policy changes.