New York, July 12, 2025 —
A new report by the United Nations’ World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has revealed alarming data showing that sand and dust storms, intensified by climate change, are contributing to rising cases of premature deaths and posing severe risks to human health and the environment.

In response to the growing crisis, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) on Saturday marked the International Day of Combating Sand and Dust Storms by officially designating the period from 2025 to 2034 as the UN Decade on Combating Sand and Dust Storms.

Global Health and Environmental Crisis

According to the WMO report, more than 330 million people across 150 countries are currently affected by sand and dust storms. These storms, often sweeping across deserts, drylands, and increasingly drought-stricken regions, are not only disrupting daily life but also degrading air quality to dangerous levels.

The report highlights that exposure to airborne particles from these storms has been linked to cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, leading to a rise in premature deaths, particularly among vulnerable populations including children, the elderly, and those with preexisting health conditions.

Climate Change a Major Driver

WMO experts warn that climate change, combined with unsustainable land management and increasing desertification, is exacerbating the frequency and severity of these storms. Prolonged droughts, shrinking vegetation cover, and soil degradation are allowing winds to lift larger volumes of dust and sand into the atmosphere.

“These storms are no longer occasional or regional – they are becoming a global challenge,” said Petteri Taalas, Secretary-General of the WMO. “The international community must act now to mitigate their health, environmental, and economic impacts.”

UN Decade on Combating Sand and Dust Storms

With the declaration of the 2025–2034 period as the UN Decade on Combating Sand and Dust Storms, the United Nations aims to bolster international cooperation, research, early warning systems, and sustainable land and water management practices.

The initiative will encourage countries to adopt policies that restore degraded land, improve resilience in vulnerable regions, and enhance cross-border coordination to monitor and respond to storm events.

Call to Action

The UNGA urged member states, civil society, and scientific institutions to support efforts in monitoring, data sharing, and public health planning to reduce the impact of these increasingly destructive storms.

“This Decade represents a chance to build solutions that protect lives and ecosystems,” said UNGA President Dennis Francis. “It is a wake-up call to treat sand and dust storms as part of the global climate and health agenda.”

Looking Ahead

As the world continues to face the cascading effects of climate change, the UN’s new decade-long focus on sand and dust storms signals a proactive global commitment to mitigate a silent but deadly hazard. Governments, experts, and communities will now be working together to clear the air—literally—for a safer, healthier future.