MOSHI, TANZANIA — The Duke University Global Health Institute is set to launch its East Africa Climate and Health Observatory tomorrow, Tuesday, August 19, 2025. This new regional hub, part of the institute’s broader Climate and Health Initiative, aims to foster collaboration among researchers and practitioners to address the critical link between climate change and health in the region. The launch event is being held as a hybrid in-person and virtual gathering.
The event’s in-person activities will take place at the Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre in Moshi, Tanzania, with a follow-up series of partner engagements in Kenya. Those unable to attend in person can register for a Zoom link to participate virtually.
The new observatory is designed to be a central point for sharing knowledge and amplifying future collaborations on climate and health. A key focus of the initiative is the development of climate resilience early warning systems, which are crucial for protecting vulnerable communities from the health impacts of extreme weather events and other climate-related threats.
The launch event begins at 8:30 AM EAT, with the keynote address scheduled for 9:30 AM EAT. An overview of the initiative will be presented at 10:30 AM EAT.
The establishment of this observatory comes at a pivotal time, as East Africa faces increasing climate variability, with more frequent droughts, floods, and other extreme weather patterns that directly impact public health through issues like food insecurity, infectious disease outbreaks, and water-borne illnesses. By creating a dedicated space for interdisciplinary work, the Duke Global Health Institute hopes to contribute to the development of effective, evidence-based solutions for these pressing challenges.
For more information, or to schedule a meeting with a representative, contact Emily Robie at emily.robie@duke.edu.
