Compound dry-hot extreme events improving individual and community preparedness and response

The purpose of this report is to discuss the need for improved individual and community preparedness and response to compound dry-hot extreme events, and to highlight the benefits such improvements would bring. The frequency of simultaneous or consecutive heatwaves, droughts and wildfires is increasing. Compound dry-hot extreme events, defined as a mix of concurrent or sequential occurrence of heatwaves, droughts and fires, contribute to risks and impacts to both society and the environment. Compound dry-hot extreme events already pose serious impacts on human health and well-being, and these impacts are expected to increase in the future. The development and implementation of compound dry-hot extreme events action plans is essential for reducing the adverse health effects of current and future compound dry-hot extreme events.

The report highlights that the need for improved individual and community preparedness and response to compound dry-hot extreme events cannot be ignored. Individual and community preparedness and response to compound dry-hot extreme events have many short-, medium- and long-term benefits. Countries and cities will benefit from better partnerships between national and local government, and across all sectors of society (e.g., health and social care, transport, housing, energy, business). Individuals and communities will benefit from better ways and actions to prepare, respond, and reduce impacts. An important first step for building these partnerships is taking a bottom-up approach to develop and implement a participatory and clear all-of-society action plan on how individuals and communities are supported prior to and during a compound dry-hot extreme event. A call to action to think and discuss how compound dry-hot extreme events action plans can look like, and an ongoing conversation about how to protect and promote health and well-being for all, everywhere.