Brussels: Europe and the Arabs
The World Health Organization has warned that heat causes the death of 175,000 people annually in Europe, and this number is expected to rise as our planet continues to warm. The organization reported that temperatures in European countries are rising at a rate twice the global average. According to the United Nations daily news bulletin, a copy of which we received this morning, Saturday
Dr. Hans Kluge, the regional director of the World Health Organization, said that more than 50 countries across Europe are "paying a heavy price." This comes a few days after the Earth recorded its highest average temperature ever, at 17.16 degrees Celsius (62.89 Fahrenheit), and amid severe summer heat waves hitting the northern hemisphere. The three warmest years in Europe have all occurred since 2020, and the ten hottest years have all occurred since 2007, Dr Kluge said.

A leading cause of climate-related deaths
Dr Kluge said heat stress is the leading cause of climate-related deaths in the European region. “The extreme temperatures we are currently experiencing are exacerbating chronic conditions, including cardiovascular, respiratory and cerebrovascular diseases, as well as mental health and diabetes-related conditions. The extreme heat we are experiencing is a particular problem for older people, especially those living alone; it can also put an additional burden on pregnant women.”

A call for protection measures
The World Health Organization has called on governments to take action to mitigate the impact of heat shock on vulnerable people. It explained that more than 20 countries in the WHO European Region have similar plans, but that this is “not enough to protect all communities.”
The UN Secretary-General has issued a call for action on extreme heat, stressing that the Earth is “getting hotter and more dangerous for everyone, everywhere.”
In some parts of the world, the climate crisis is already causing temperatures to rise to unbearable levels, according to the World Health Organization. Globally, an estimated 489,000 heat-related deaths occurred each year between 2000 and 2019, with the European region accounting for 36 percent – ​​more than 175,000 deaths, on average, each year.
Dr Kluge stressed that the negative health effects of extreme heat are largely preventable. “If we are better prepared for a hotter region, we will save many lives, now and in the future,” he said.
WHO’s guidelines for dealing with heatwaves include:

Stay out of the heat: Avoid going outside and doing strenuous activities when the sun is strongest. Stay in the shade and don’t leave children or animals in parked vehicles. Spend two to three hours in a cool place, if necessary and possible.
Try to keep your home cool: Use night air to cool your home. Keep your body cool and hydrated by wearing loose, light clothing and light bedding, taking cool showers, and drinking water regularly, but avoiding sugary, alcoholic, or caffeinated drinks that will make you feel dehydrated. Take care of yourself and others: Check on family members, friends, and neighbors, especially the elderly, especially if they are alone.