Dr. Tewodros Adhanom made the statement here on Monday at the celebration of the World Health Day held here under the theme: “Protecting health from climate change.”

Climate change is becoming the major source of social chaos and health problems, the Minister said.

The ever increasing population, degradation of natural resources expansion of industries and the increase in gas emissions are among the main causes of climate change.

Dr. Tewodros said a lot is expected from the current generation to address climate change by sifting out the main causes of the problem.

Ethiopia has designed and is implementing various programs aiming at preventing problems related to climate change.

More than 600 million tree seedlings transplanted under "Two trees for 2000" projects would contribute to prevent climate change, according to the Minister.

Efforts are also well underway in schools with a view to raising the awareness of children on the issue of climate change, he added.

Speaking on the occasion, World Health Organization (WHO) Representative to Ethiopia, Dr. Fatoumata Nafo-Traore said climate change is posing a growing threat to global health security and coping with the challenges requires increased worldwide collaboration among all stakeholders.

The health hazards of climate change are diverse and global in nature.

More over, Dr. Nafo-Traore said the health impacts will be disproportionately greater in vulnerable population such as children, women, the elderly and those that are already ill due to various causes.

Accordingly, partnership between government agencies, intergovernmental organizations, NGOs, industry and professional groups is crucial for effective mitigation and adaptation.

WHO is preparing a global strategy and action plan to support member states in developing their capacity for effective interventions to mitigate the impact of climate change.

Fidele Sarassoro, UN Resident Coordinator for his part said that climate sensitive diseases such as diarrhea, malaria, protein-energy malnutrition alone accounted for 3.3 million deaths in the world in 2002 with about a third occurring in Africa.

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