Dust Storms Cause 7 Million Deaths Annually, UN Warns

Climate change is intensifying sand and dust storms globally, leading to approximately 7 million premature deaths each year, according to a recent report by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). The storms are affecting 330 million people across at least 150 countries, causing significant health and economic impacts.

On Saturday, the UN General Assembly observed the International Day to Combat Sand and Dust Storms, declaring 2025–2034 as the “Decade to Combat Sand and Dust Storms.” UN General Assembly President Philemon Yang described these storms as one of the most neglected yet deadly global challenges, driven by climate change, land degradation, and unsustainable agricultural practices.

WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo emphasized that dust storms are not just about dirty windows or hazy skies but directly harm human health and livelihoods. They disrupt transportation, agriculture, and solar energy production. UN representative Laura Patterson noted that 2 billion tons of dust—equivalent to the weight of 300 Giza pyramids—are released into the atmosphere annually, with 80% originating from North African and Middle Eastern deserts. This dust can travel thousands of kilometers, reaching as far as the Caribbean and the United States. Rola Dashti, head of the UN’s regional commission, reported that combating dust storms in the Middle East and North Africa costs $150 billion annually, about 2.5% of the region’s GDP. This spring, severe storms in Iraq, Kuwait, and Iran overwhelmed hospitals and forced closures of schools and offices. According to UN data, 3.8 billion people—nearly half the global population—were exposed to unsafe dust levels between 2018 and 2022, up from 2.9 billion between 2003 and 2007. In the US, dust storm-related damages reached $154 billion in 2017, four times higher than in 1995. Experts urge sustainable land use, eco-friendly farming, and improved early warning systems to mitigate the growing crisis, warning that it could become more deadly and costly without action.

*Source: Al Jazeera*