The UN World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has sounded an alarm over the increasing menace of sand and dust storms, which annually inject around 2,000 million tonnes of dust into the atmosphere. This phenomenon, which can affect air quality thousands of kilometers away, is partly attributed to suboptimal water and land management practices. The WMO’s chief, Petteri Taalas, has pointed out that climate change, with its higher temperatures and droughts, is intensifying these storms by increasing evaporation and drying out soils.
The health implications are severe, as exposure to dust particles is linked to heart attacks, cardiovascular disease, and lung cancer. These storms also pose significant risks to aviation, ground transportation, and agriculture. In 2022, regions such as Central and South America, Central Africa, Spain, and parts of Asia and the Middle East experienced notably higher dust concentrations.
Addressing the plight of people with albinism, the UN’s Special Rapporteur on albinism issues, Muluka-Anne Miti-Drummond, highlighted the deadly consequences of climate change on skin cancer rates among this vulnerable group. In Africa, individuals with albinism are up to 1,000 times more likely to develop skin cancer, often leading to death before the age of 40. Miti-Drummond has been advocating for the provision of free sunscreen, which is essential for prolonging and improving the lives of those affected.
In Peru, the UN is calling for substantial reforms to ensure human rights are upheld during protests. A report scrutinizing the conduct of security forces during nationwide protests from December 2022 to March 2023 found that human rights were unduly restricted. The use of unnecessary and disproportionate force, including lethal force, was reported, resulting in serious and sometimes fatal injuries to protesters.
The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) recorded 50 deaths and 821 injuries linked to the protests, with allegations against security forces. Although criminal investigations were initiated against 241 demonstrators, most cases were closed due to insufficient evidence.
UN rights chief Volker Türk emphasized the importance of accountability for human rights violations and the provision of full reparation for victims. He also stressed the need for an inclusive national dialogue to address the grievances of Peruvian society and to prevent ongoing political and social crises.