Climate Change and Public Health in the Oromia Regional State in Ethiopia and Its Implications for the Nile Basin

Abstract

Background: Climate change in the Nile Basin region has caused complex ecological imbalances, i.e., increased diseases burdens, widened social inequalities, exacerbated environmental degradation, fostered competition on resources, and threatened to slash progress in population health. In addition, human rights violations (HRV) in Oromia resulted in further environmental degradation. In this paper, the term healthy social relations and respect for human rights are used interchangeably. Oromia is the primary water source for the Nile River; hence, any social problem and ecological imbalances in this region easily spill over an extended area. Objectives: This paper examines the relationships between climate change, HRV, and public health. It traces the mechanisms in which the interactions may multiply public health problems, raise awareness of the issues, advance cooperation between states to undertake applied research, foster environmental stewardship culture, and provide impactful policy directions. Methods: Using the systemic thinking framework, we captured tacit and scientific knowledge at the upstream level in Oromia, analyzed the complex relationships between climate change, HRV, and public health problems. Furthermore, we depicted the risks it poses in Oromia and Nile Basin's downstream countries. Findings: Climate change and HRV exacerbated environmental degradation, widened social problems, and inculpated drawbacks in public health status. The impacts of ecological disturbances in the Oromia region easily spill over to other Nile Basin countries. Environmental and social imbalances contribute to environmental degradation through increased soil erosion, deforestation, increased water evaporation, which may also cause decreased water flow to the tributary rivers of the Nile. Climate change could also alter the biochemistry and microbiology of the water and soil, creating favorable conditions for certain microorganisms and pathogens that may lower soil fertility, food production, aggravate water scarcity, and ultimately cause food insecurity and other scarcities. Conclusions: Climate change and HRV in Oromia aggravated environmental degradations and have implications for public health problems. Moreover, the social and ecological disturbances in Oromia easily spill over to other Nile Basin countries. Until we identify what is going on in Oromia and take appropriate actions to prevent, mitigate and manage the impacts of climate change, and advance human rights, public health problems will further multiply and threaten the security of people in Oromia and other regions within the Nile Basin.