One of the world’s largest humanitarian networks, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), is urging governments globally to take early action in preparing their communities for the impacts of heat.
The year 2024 was the hottest year on record, and the frequency and intensity of heatwaves are expected to get worse due to climate change, said Dr Luis Rodriguez, lead for climate and environmental crises for the Asia-Pacific at IFRC.
Regions including South-east Asia and parts of China and India are increasingly susceptible to heatwaves, he said, adding that these areas are also heavily populated. About 60 per cent of the global population resides in the Asia-Pacific region.