Africa: Unitaid Launches U.S.$10.9 Million Initiative to Protect Essential Health Products From Rising Temperatures

Antalya/Geneva, 9 November 2026 - Unitaid has allocated US$10.9 million to safeguard essential medicines, diagnostics and other health products from the adverse effects of rising temperatures and humidity, a concern often overlooked in climate change preparedness for health systems. The initiative, known as SHIELD, led by the United States Pharmacopeia (USP), aims to identify which health products are vulnerable to heat and humidity today, which could face increased risks as temperatures rise over the next 20-30 years, and develop strategies to protect them.

SHIELD will run from 2027 to 2030, focusing on products relevant to HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, and maternal and child health in six countries. The project will measure temperature and humidity exposure during storage, transport and delivery in India, Kenya, Nigeria and Senegal, with findings validated in Brazil and South Africa.

Laboratory testing will assess product responses to these conditions, while climate projections will anticipate future risks. The findings will inform solutions, policies and practices to develop and deliver health products in a warming world, including better packaging, temperature monitoring, changes to storage and distribution, and product improvements.

The project prioritizes solutions led by the Global South and supports promising approaches that could attract further investment. Governments, regulators, health workers and communities in all six countries will contribute to the research and solutions, ensuring they reflect conditions where products are used. The SHIELD project reflects Unitaid's commitment to preserving access to essential health products amidst the growing impacts of climate change.