Natural Disasters and Climate Change

A year since the floods that struck the Libyan city of Derna and the earthquake in Morocco’s Al Haouz province, the MENA region continues to grapple with increasing environmental and political challenges. Reconstruction efforts are ongoing in Türkiye and Syria, which were also hit with a magnitude 7.8 earthquake in February 2023, causing over 60,000 deaths and $150 billion in damages. As the MENA region grapples with increasing environmental challenges understanding the impact of these disasters is more important than ever.  

The Middle East Council on Global Affairs is bringing together leading experts to explore the causes, impacts, and long-term consequences of these disasters. The speakers will examine how these natural disasters are exacerbated by existing climate challenges, economic fragility, and political instability. They will also consider questions such as: How did these regional natural disasters shape public opinion and policy responses? How has political instability hindered the response and recovery process? How are governments in the MENA region improving their disaster preparedness to better respond to and recover from recent natural disasters? What measures can be taken to enhance climate resilience and alleviate suffering for local communities?