By Lina Mwamachi/ Lenah Bosibori
“we pastoralists, love livestock, so when our livestock die due to climate change, we get very distressed, life loses meaning without our livestock and it pains to see them die of hunger and thirst, and we cannot help, knowing death is inevitable in such erratic weather conditions, so personally I would prefer to die than live a life of pain and shock”
These are sentiments of one pastoralist, Daniel Ltabawa, from the Maasai community, speaking of how climate change has turned their lives upside down, forcing many to commit suicide, but unlike others he chose to keep going on, even though nothing is left of his livestock.
As climate change continues to bite hardly globally, early this year, the National Drought and Management Authority Kenya, (NDMA), confirmed the loss of 4.2 million livestock due to drought fragmenting livelihoods of pastoralist communities.
The drought is attributed to the rising levels of carbon dioxide that warmed up the Earth’s atmosphere and rising sea levels, melting the snow and ice leading to fires, floods and droughts across Africa.
Speaking during the side event dubbed ‘The nexus between Mental Health and Climate related Disasters ‘ on the just concluded Africa Climate Week Summit, (ACW) Dr. Susan Gitau a psychologist said that the Maa community which was largely affected by the drought has experienced an increase in suicide cases.
“For once in the Maa community, we have had the increase of suicide cases which have never been experienced before bearing in mind that they are the Bravest Warriors fighting lions,” cited Gitau.
“Many are time when people assume life is stress free. It has never been and it will never be. It is how you cope with it and how you will make your own community,” added Gitau.
Gitau notes that climate induced disasters have largely contributed to depression and confusion among the Maa community.
According to Gitau, Africans had always used seasons to predict the weather, planting and harvesting seasons but due to climate change impacts they can’t predict any more.
“In Africa, Kenya in particular, many communities like the Maasai treasure livestock, when they lose livestock, they lose their lifeline and everything” said Gitau who is also the CEO Elewa Ulevi.
Gitau also stated that due to these devastating disasters, people are losing everything and nobody is concerned about their mental health situations.
“We have noted with great concern the increase of suicide cases in the Maa community, observed Gitau.
Africa is being exposed to floods, drought, mudslides, and loss of lives, homes and plantation. “Who is talking to these people? Who is giving them shelter? Who is giving them psychological support? Queries Gitau.
Experts warn that lack of data in climate change and health related as a major setback to response.
“We are focusing on the physical part by giving them what they have lost but forget their mental health and therefore when we experience these things chances of one developing serious mental health problems are very high, “noted Gitau.
She also noted that there are a lot of traumatic stress disorders and depression among the communities who have lost their livestock and homes.
“The use of substances like alcohol, marijuana and Miraa is also on the rise due to post traumatic stress of losing everything,” adds Gitau.
She urges urgent checkups on people who have lost everything. “In Africa we need to look at the mental health of people affected by climate change, “adds Gitau.
According to Zachary Misiani, senior Research Scientist International Centre for Humanitarian Affairs Kenya Red Cross Society, people in Africa have experienced one disaster to another disaster.
“There is no time for recovery from these vulnerable people in our society. As a humanitarian organization, we need a forecast and clear understanding that will speak to the needs of these vulnerable communities, “said Misiani.
Misiani noted that climate related hazards usually cause a lot of damage and destruction on livestock and Agriculture.
“The droughts we had in East Africa affected 36.4 million of people, 24.1 million from Ethiopia, 7.8 million in Somalia and 4.5 million in Kenya,” said Misiani.
Misiani urged for clear actionable information so that they can empower the community to adapt and also mitigate the impacts of climate change.
Dr. Stephen Mutuku an Economist and health Investment Expert National Syndemic Disease Control Council (NSDCC) notes that Africa will never achieve a Universal Health Coverage (UHC) if it does not address issues of climate change that result in mental health.
“If someone loses a relative through drowning, the next thing that happens is loneliness and depression resulting to one becoming vulnerable either to the community or to the peers, other people end up being hospitalized every time, which eats from their pockets and drain them financially, and next thing is increased cost of healthcare, “said Mutuku.
Dr Richard Muita Climate Expert and Researcher Meteorological department of Kenya KMD, says early warning systems can help understand the weather patterns around different communities.
“Early warning systems helped us to understand the weather around Narok County, we customized an early warning system for heavy rains and flooding in the area that helped to reduce floods,
Muita calls for more investment in early warning systems, so that Africa as a region can be able to address the issue if extreme weather disasters, in a more applicable manner.
According to Ltabawa, it would be wise enough for the government to rope them in during hard times, like now where climate change is hitting hard, by planning ahead, on how to help in terms of buying the livestock and offer ready markets before livestock starts emaciating as well as provide hay for them before they die.
