Climate change has dominated the news cycle over the past few years, with temperature records being regularly matched and broken in various basins around the world. The result has been massive storms and historic flooding, in some regions, while other areas have been hit by brutal heat waves and droughts. Some countries are unlucky enough to suffer from both flooding and droughts, which hit during different times of the year.
The consequences for resident populations has been overwhelmingly catastrophic, with homes, farms, and essential infrastructure regularly damaged and destroyed. This, in turn, contributes to the ongoing cycle of poverty, particularly in developing countries. With leading scientific bodies suggesting that the climate crisis will only get worse over the next few years, the expectation is that weather-related disasters will continue to escalate, further increasing the risk of already-impoverished communities falling farther into the trap of poverty and food insecurity.
Climate Impacts in Asia
Asia is the world’s most frequently affected region when it comes to climate- and weather-related disasters, despite the fact that most of Asia’s smaller developing countries contribute very little in terms of carbon emissions and pollution, especially relative to the impact of larger industrial and post-industrial countries, such as the USA and China. Sea surface temps and overall thermal levels in the world’s various oceans have hit historic highs and are projected to continue to increase, creating the potential for super storms that devastate Asian countries. While water-related hazards on both ends of the spectrum—including both flooding and the lack of clean water—are the most common threat, extreme heat waves are quickly becoming more frequent and pronounced in the area. At the same time, melting glaciers at the polar caps are raising ocean levels and threatening water security for countries throughout the region.
The State of the Climate in Asia 2023 report discussed a number of key indicators that demonstrate an accelerating global climate crisis, including melting glaciers and rising sea levels. Sea-surface temps in the northwest Pacific hit their highest levels ever in 2023, and even the Arctic witnessed drastically elevated marine temperatures. Asia, in particular, is warming up more quickly than the world average, with the rate of warming doubling since 1990.
“Many countries in [Asia] experienced their hottest year on record in 2023, along with a barrage of extreme conditions, from droughts and heatwaves to floods and storms,” said Celeste Saulo, secretary-general of the World Meteorological Organization. “Climate change exacerbated the frequency and severity of such events, profoundly impacting societies, economies, and, most importantly, human lives and the environment that we live in.”
There were 79 hydro-meteorological hazard-related disasters in Asia in 2023, the vast majority of which involved flooding and storms. An estimated 9 million people were affected, in addition to thousands of fatalities. Some of the most affected countries include Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, India, Afghanistan, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka, all of which are served by non-profit organization Islamic Relief USA.
The Situation in Pakistan
Pakistan ranks as one of the 10 most affected countries, in terms of climate change, while it only produces less than 0.1 percent of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions. Large, acutely catastrophic disasters tend to receive a lot of attention in the media, but many people remain unaware of the smaller but no less destructive effects of climate change. For example, seasonal trends are changing, upending the long-held concept of a four-season yearly cycle and wreaking havoc on local agriculture. Whereas April is typically the driest month in Pakistan, 2024 saw the month break records as the wettest in 60 years. The impact that this will have on crops remains to be seen as the growing season continues, but the effects of related flooding were felt immediately by local communities.
Bangladesh Overwhelmed by Floods
Already considered one of the most impoverished and at-risk countries in the world—and still recovering from Cyclone Remal, which destroyed thousands of homes in May 2024—Bangladesh suffered catastrophic flooding in June, overrunning entire cities and potentially displacing millions of people. Not only does this pose immediate risks related to starvation, lack of clean water, hygiene issues, and exposure to the elements, but it also increases the chances of refugees and undocumented migrants being exploited by human traffickers in neighboring countries.
Islamic Relief USA Advocates for Climate Resilience
As part of its ongoing vision to mitigate poverty around the world, Islamic Relief USA (IRUSA) is actively working to respond to climate-related disasters throughout Asia, distributing food, water, medical care, shelter, and hygiene kits in the areas that are most affected. The organization has been active across the Asian continent for three decades.
As climate change looms larger, IRUSA continues to advocate for climate justice for the countries that are most vulnerable to climate change and to promote long-term climate resilience via sustainable livelivhood support, economic empowerment for women, and investments in healthcare, education, and safe water. Even though they do not contribute much to climate change, these countries continue to suffer its worst effects. IRUSA is dedicated to raising awareness about this disproportionate burden and promoting a more sustainable future for Asia.