The Rockefeller Foundation has announced a $5.2 million grant to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in support of the World Health Organization-World Meteorological Organization Climate and Health Joint Programme.

The grant matches a $6.3 million award from Wellcome announced last October. The joint investment will support efforts to prototype and scale in-country operational health-meteorological units in seven countries across Africa, Latin America, and Asia to more effectively harness climate and weather science; bolster cross-sectoral collaboration and capacity building between national meteorological agencies and ministries of health in at least 80 countries; catalyze investment and collaboration to accelerate a more informed, aligned, strategic, and coordinated response; and advance science-based health action.

“This partnership and initiative represent a major step forward. It will accelerate the use of tailored climate services to address some of the most urgent health challenges of our time, from heat-related illness to the spread of infectious diseases. By strengthening early warning systems, digital tools, technical support, and training, we can equip governments and health systems to effectively use climate information and services to save lives,” said World Meteorological Organization secretary-general Celeste Saulo. “We are deeply grateful to the Rockefeller Foundation and Wellcome for their investment, which will help drive innovative solutions and support climate-resilient health systems in the regions that need them most.”

(Photo credit: Getty Images/Jacob Wackerhausen)