UN experts have warned of the dangers of sand and dust storms. These are an underestimated problem that is now occurring dramatically more frequently in parts of the world, the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) based in Bonn announced on Wednesday. A significant part of the problem is due to human activities and global and regional political answers are needed.
Sandstorms caused devastating damage in northern and central Asia as far as Africa, it said. In the affected areas, soil is being removed and there are crop failures. In addition to the resulting economic consequences, according to the UNCCD experts, there can also be health problems such as respiratory diseases. Although there are limited benefits – the sandstorms also transported soil nutrients from which other areas benefited – these do not far outweigh the damage.
According to the UNCCD, the effects of the phenomenon go far beyond the regions of origin: it is estimated that two billion tons of sand and dust enter the atmosphere every year worldwide. A main source is the Aral Sea in Central Asia: more than 100 million tons of dust and toxic salts are stirred up there every year. The UNCCD is meeting in Samarkand, Uzbekistan until Friday.
Long-term effects only documented to a limited extent
According to UNCCD experts, the fact that the phenomenon is underestimated as a disaster risk in parts of the world is probably due to the fact that in many cases there are no immediate deaths. The long-term health, but also economic and other effects are only documented to a limited extent. The problem is exacerbated by improper land and water use, droughts and climate change, according to UNCCD experts.
“But just as sand and dust storms are increased by human activities, they can also be reduced by human actions,” UNCCD Executive Secretary Ibrahim Thiaw was quoted as saying in a statement. Specifically, sensible use of soil and water should ensure more vegetation and protect soils. A monitoring and early warning system is also needed.
