- 10 hours ago
In conjunction with Heat Action Day, this year’s focus turns to the often overlooked dangers of indoor heat exposure. This comes as Malaysia braces for hotter and drier conditions linked to the developing El Niño phenomenon. Nailah Huda speaks with Jaryll Ong from IFRC to discuss the rising risks of extreme heat across Southeast Asia.
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00:07This is Awani Global with me, Nailah Huda.
00:09As rising temperatures and extreme weather events become increasingly common,
00:13experts are warning that heatwaves are no longer seasonal or distant concerns,
00:18but a growing public health and climate threat affecting millions worldwide.
00:23And this comes as Malaysia braces for hotter and drier conditions
00:27linked to the El Nino phenomenon this year.
00:29And in conjunction with Heat Action Day next week,
00:32this year's focus turns to the often overlooked dangers of indoor heat exposure,
00:38from homes and schools to workplaces and public spaces.
00:42And joining us today is Gerald Ong from the International Federation of Red Cross
00:45and Red Crescent Societies, IFRC, to discuss the rising risks of extreme heat
00:50and how communities can better prepare for a hotter future.
00:54Gerald Ong is the Regional Volunteering and Branch Development Coordinator at IFRC,
00:59and he works with National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies across Asia-Pacific
01:03to strengthen volunteer networks and support humanitarian response.
01:08He's passionate about empowering volunteers to make a meaningful difference in their communities.
01:13Thank you so much, Gerald, for joining us today. How are you doing?
01:16Thank you for having me. I'm doing good.
01:17I think it's a very timely topic as I think we're all very much feeling the heat this week.
01:23But, you know, we're hearing more warnings about hotter and drier conditions linked to El Nino, of course, this year.
01:28How serious is the situation expected to become across Malaysia and Southeast Asia this year?
01:35Yeah, thank you very much.
01:37Heat is already actually affecting people across Southeast Asia, of course, including here in Malaysia, as we all felt it.
01:43And this year alone, the Health Ministry of Malaysia has recorded 56 heat-related illnesses,
01:50including two tragic deaths from heat stroke, one involving a child that is left in a vehicle
01:56and another a marathon participant in Penang.
01:59And these numbers come even before the peak of the hot season, highlighting how urgent preparation and awareness are.
02:08El Nino tends to push temperatures higher and prolong hot periods, which increases stress on our bodies,
02:15water systems and energy infrastructures.
02:18And even when temperatures really don't hit record highs, the combination of heat and humidity in our region
02:23makes it even harder for our body to cool off, raising the risk of dehydration and heat exhaustion,
02:30heat stroke and even worsening chronic health conditions.
02:33And it's not just in Malaysia.
02:36Countries such as Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and the Philippines are also experiencing
02:41prolonged heatwave conditions, with daily temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius across large areas.
02:48And in parts of Vietnam and Laos, temperatures climb well above typical seasonal highs,
02:53while in Thailand, record-breaking heat stress, public health systems and agricultural production.
02:59In the Philippines, school closures and heat safety warnings were issued when heat indexes were surging,
03:07making outdoor work and learning dangerous for children and workers.
03:11Scientists do estimate that the 2023 regional heatwave caused over 60 deaths across Southeast Asia
03:18and disrupted daily lives in multiple countries.
03:21Now, these examples actually show heatwaves aren't just a scientific concept.
03:25They are impacting health, livelihoods and community activities across the region.
03:30And because Southeast Asia already experiences high humidity, our bodies struggle even more to cope
03:36with rising temperatures.
03:38The takeaway is clear, the heat is not just a forecasted risk, it is actually a real and present threat
03:44and communities need to prepare, taking protective action and build resilience now.
03:49But it used to be that we hear about heatwaves more often associated with countries experiencing extreme summers.
03:57We hear about heatstrokes and other health conditions or illnesses associated with heat in Europe or maybe in Australia.
04:04But why should Malaysians and Southeast Asians, in fact, be concerned about rising heat risks today?
04:12Exactly. I think heatwaves really affects all of us, even if we don't always notice them.
04:17A heatwave is actually more than just a few hot days like what we experience in Malaysia.
04:23It's actually an extended period of unusually intense heat, often combined with high humidity
04:29that can disrupt daily life and pose serious health risks.
04:34According to the World Meteorological Organization, a heatwave actually occurs when daily maximum temperatures
04:41exceed the normal maximum by 5 degrees Celsius or more for 5 consecutive days.
04:47But what counts as dangerous heat is very local.
04:51What is extreme in one place can feel normal elsewhere.
04:55Like, for example, in London, health impact starts around 25 degrees Celsius,
05:01while in the plains of India, the threshold is closer to 40 degrees Celsius.
05:05Here in Malaysia, the combination of heat and high humidity actually makes it harder for the body to cool itself,
05:12which increases the risk of dehydration, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
05:17And meteorology Malaysia actually defines a heatwave as temperatures above 37 degrees Celsius
05:23for 3 or more consecutive days.
05:25And with the alerts level starting at level 1, which is about 35 to 37 degrees,
05:31and increases as the temperature increases to level 2 and level 3.
05:35So this system actually helps communities prepare even before the most dangerous days arrive.
05:41And we are seeing heatwaves become more frequent, longer and more intense across Southeast Asia
05:47due to global warming.
05:49And even if temperatures may seem moderate right now compared to other regions,
05:54the risks are real and growing, effective health, productivity and also daily routines.
05:59Well, that's why it's really important for Malaysians to take heat seriously,
06:04protect the vulnerable people in our population and adopt simple preventive measures
06:08like staying hydrated, seeking shade and ensuring that indoor spaces are well ventilated.
06:14And understanding these local thresholds and risks allow communities to act early
06:19and reduce preventable harm from extreme heat.
06:23You know, I think in places, in countries like Malaysia especially,
06:27where, you know, we're so used to heat, we're so used to, you know, the sun and the humidity as
06:31well,
06:32a lot of people, I think, still don't see extreme heat as a major disaster
06:36compared to other, you know, disasters that, you know, we're more used to seeing
06:40commonly like floods, storms. Why do you think heat or if you think heat is still
06:46sort of an underestimated risk or threat compared to other disasters?
06:51Exactly. I think heat is actually often what we call a silent threat.
06:56It is around us, but we don't necessarily see it, you know, and it's for good reason, you know.
07:01Unlike floods or storms where it doesn't leave behind, you know, visible destruction,
07:05so it doesn't always register to many people as a disaster in people's mind.
07:10And in Malaysia, where we're already so used to warm weather all year round,
07:14there's a perception that heat is manageable, yeah?
07:18But what we are actually seeing now is very different.
07:21Hot periods are becoming more intense, lasting longer, and placing greater stress on our bodies.
07:28Globally, heat waves are already one of the deadliest climate hazards that we have recorded.
07:32According to the World Health Organization, heat kills hundreds of thousands of people each year,
07:37and many of these deaths are unrecorded because they exacerbate existing health conditions
07:43like cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.
07:46In Southeast Asia as well, countries like Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines
07:51have experienced prolonged 2023 heat waves with daily temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius,
07:58which, as I said, disrupted schools, work, and urban life.
08:00And also resulted in a dozen of reported fatalities.
08:06Another challenge is that heat-related impacts are also often underreported.
08:11People may experience dehydration, heat exhaustion, or worsening of chronic illnesses,
08:16yet these are not always recognised as being heat-related.
08:21Even moderate indoor temperatures can be dangerous in high-humidity regions like Southeast Asia
08:26where the body's ability to cool itself is reduced.
08:29So from the IFRC's perspective, these trends are concerning because extreme heat
08:33disproportionately affects the most vulnerable groups, including older adults, children,
08:40outdoor and informal workers, and people with chronic illnesses.
08:43And this is why early warning systems, anticipatory action, and community preparedness are critical for us.
08:50Communities, authorities, and organisations must treat extreme heat with the same seriousness as floods or storms
08:56because protective measures such as hydration, cooling spaces, and public awareness campaigns
09:02can prevent many illnesses and actually save lives.
09:05I do want to talk about the sort of preparedness that needs to come, you know, early warning systems and
09:12whatnot.
09:12But I do want to also talk about Heat Action Day and, you know, this new understanding of the risk
09:19that it brings,
09:20the threat that it poses to particularly vulnerable communities.
09:23I mean, for IFRC, I understand it's a relatively new campaign that's been launched just in the past few years
09:29as well.
09:29Why do you think, from the IFRC perspective, was it important to launch this dedicated global initiative for heat awareness
09:36and this being a particularly new campaign as well?
09:40Yeah, no.
09:41So Heat Action Day actually existed to turn heat from an invisible threat into a risk that communities can really
09:49anticipate,
09:49prepare for, and manage together.
09:52Launched by the IFRC, as you said, in 2022, it was in collaboration with partners like UNEP,
09:58the World Meteorological Organization, and the C40 Cities.
10:03The initiative really aims to raise global awareness, mobilize communities, and really encourage simple, practical actions
10:10that can save lives.
10:11And the focus is really on urban populations and vulnerable groups because cities tend to be, you know,
10:17significantly warmer than the surrounding rural areas.
10:20And climate change is intensifying these conditions.
10:24And heat waves, you know, really can often be forecasted days or even weeks in advance,
10:29providing a critical window for what we call early action.
10:32And this includes measures, as I said, such as setting up hydration stations in open spaces,
10:39distributing cooling materials, checking on our elderly neighbors,
10:42and providing guidance on how to stay safe indoor.
10:46And, you know, one key feature actually of IFRC's approach is what we call also forecast-based financing.
10:53This links early warning to pre-arranged funding so that national societies can really act before the heat wave strikes,
11:00protecting lives and minimizing health impacts.
11:02So we've seen this approach work in Kyrgyzstan, where the IFRC's Disaster Relief Emergency Fund allocated about 350,000 Swiss
11:10francs,
11:11and that's about 450,000 US dollars, to protect almost 14,000 people during a 2021-2022 heat wave.
11:21And our volunteers also implement awareness campaigns, provide air conditioners in elderly care homes and orphanages,
11:28and distributed food and hygiene kits to those most at risk.
11:32I'm interested in hearing about this early action or early warning systems that can be put in place.
11:37It's interesting to hear the country, the example from Kyrgyzstan about this forecast-based funding.
11:43But what do you think would be some of the appropriate early warning systems that can be implemented,
11:48particularly in Malaysia?
11:49I mean, we have, I think, you know, some level of early warning systems.
11:54We have, you know, the meteorological body, of course, that's very active in informing the public.
12:00But what do you think can be improved?
12:03I think Meteorology Malaysia is really doing quite a good job in its forecasts and predictions,
12:08based on the latest available science and data and analysis.
12:12I think one thing is about our awareness of our communities,
12:16because most of the time we don't necessarily always pay close attention to the latest warnings for meteorology in Malaysia.
12:25So I think really having as part of this Heat Action Day as well is really to raise this awareness.
12:30And because science is there to help us predict and forecast these heat waves,
12:35there are things that we can do to mitigate the impact of heat waves.
12:38Do you think it would be helpful for us to sort of change perspectives towards heat threats,
12:45the same way we look at threats of flood?
12:48You know, I think there's been a lot of growing attention among the public towards,
12:53you know, weather forecasts, particularly looking at storms in order for them to plan work ahead,
13:00to plan their journeys ahead, because we're seeing flood, of course,
13:02as something that's so common, perhaps on a weekly, daily basis in some of the past months.
13:07Do you think it would be helpful to sort of look at it from the same lens as we're seeing
13:11other disasters like floods?
13:13Yes, I would say that most definitely.
13:16I mean, with the latest science and technology that we have right now,
13:20floods are, well, seasonal floods are more predictable also.
13:25So likewise, heat waves and even tropical typhoons,
13:28where we can, you know, study the pattern of where the storm is moving as well is also very beneficial.
13:34And with this information and knowledge, community members can, you know, take mitigation measures
13:40according to the different climate hazards that exist.
13:44So in floods, you know, to barricade, move things up higher from being flood damage for storms,
13:51you know, to really reinforce your doors and your windows.
13:53So those things are really helping us, the forecast are really helping us to warn our community members
14:02to take actionable steps.
14:03Right. But what's interesting, I think, about Heat Action Day this year particularly
14:07is the theme focusing on indoor heat risk.
14:10I think another sort of underestimated threat as well.
14:14Why is indoor heat becoming a growing concern globally?
14:18And I guess what's the difference with outdoor heat?
14:22Yeah. So that's actually an excellent question.
14:25And it's one many people don't immediately always think about.
14:29Traditionally, when we talk about heat waves, people think about outdoors, you know, under the sun.
14:35But heat doesn't just stop at the doorstep.
14:37This year's Heat Action Day theme, Indoor Heat Risk,
14:40highlights a very real and growing danger in our homes, schools, workplaces and even care facilities.
14:47There are a few reasons that this has become a focus.
14:49Well, first, as extreme heat events become more frequent and intense due to climate change,
14:55people are spending more time to escape the heat indoors, especially during the hottest part of the day.
15:01However, not all indoor spaces are safe-haired or even created equally.
15:06Many lack adequate ventilation, shading or even passive cooling systems.
15:11And in some cases, they can even become even hotter than outdoors.
15:16Buildings absorb and trap heat, especially if they have dark roofs or poor airflow,
15:22turning living spaces into heat traps that stresses the body.
15:26And secondly, rising indoor heat increases health risks just as much as outdoor exposure.
15:32Heat stress inside homes or workplaces can lead to dehydration, heat exhaustion, heat stroke,
15:37and even worsening of chronic conditions.
15:40And these impacts can be harder to recognise or link back to heat if people assume indoors is automatically safer.
15:47And thirdly, of course, I know vulnerable groups such as older adults, young children,
15:51people with chronic illnesses and even low-income households that may lack cooling options
15:56are particularly at risk when indoor temperatures climb.
15:59So the IFRC's work and recent report also emphasise that addressing indoor heat risk requires solutions
16:07beyond simply staying inside, including building better design, awareness, passive cooling techniques,
16:16social support mechanisms, checking on our neighbours, and also community-based preparedness.
16:20So this theme isn't just about hotter days outdoors.
16:23It's also about how heat affects people where they live, work, and sleep,
16:29and how planning and simple actions can reduce those risks.
16:32I think it's interesting you pointed out some of the more vulnerable groups
16:37that face a bigger threat of extreme heat risks.
16:43For lower-income families particularly, how do they experience heat risks differently?
16:49What are some of the biggest challenges in coping with extreme heat for lower-income groups?
16:55Yes, it does definitely disproportionately affect those who are really vulnerable,
17:01often described as what we say the most exposed, least heard, and hardest hit.
17:07When it comes to indoor heat, several groups are, as we said, practically at risk.
17:11For older adults, they are usually highly vulnerable because as people age,
17:16their bodies become less efficient at regulating temperature,
17:20and chronic health conditions increase their susceptibility to heat stress.
17:24Children are also at risk because as their body heats up faster,
17:27and they cannot always communicate the need for hydration or cooling.
17:32People with chronic illnesses, on the other hand,
17:34such as cardiovascular, respiratory, or kidney diseases,
17:38as well as even pregnant women and individuals with disabilities,
17:41also face higher risk when indoor temperature rises.
17:44And in Southeast Asia and Malaysia, the vulnerability extends beyond age or health.
17:50Living conditions matter.
17:52Low-income households, urban poor communities,
17:55and migrant workers often reside in crowded, poorly ventilated homes
18:00with little access to fans, air conditioning, or even clean drinking water,
18:05turning these spaces into heat traps.
18:08Daily wage earners, informal workers,
18:10and even families caring for infants or elderly family members face compounded risks,
18:17especially when resources to adapt or escape the heat are very limited.
18:21So high humidity in the region also adds another layer of risk
18:25because it reduces our ability to cool off.
18:27So even indoor spaces that appear comfortable can become dangerous without adequate ventilation or shading.
18:34So in short, the groups most vulnerable to indoor heat in our region,
18:38which includes older adults, children, people with illnesses, low income, and also pregnant women,
18:45protecting these groups actually requires more than just simply staying indoors.
18:49It involves ensuring homes and community spaces are well ventilated, shaded, and safe,
18:55while also having a very strong community support system in place
18:59to check and assist those most at risk.
19:02I think we've talked a lot and we've touched a lot on health risks that heat brings.
19:09But beyond environmental concerns, beyond health concerns,
19:13does extreme heat also carry economic productivity consequences, effects to livelihoods?
19:21Definitely.
19:23Extreme heat is much more than just a health issue.
19:26It's really a growing economic and productivity crisis.
19:29When temperature soars above the safe threshold,
19:33it directly reduces productivity,
19:35especially for outdoors and manual workers,
19:37you know, like your construction workers,
19:39your farmers who are in the field, fishermen as well.
19:42And in Malaysia, this is particularly visible,
19:45especially among also, for example, our delivery riders, right,
19:49who deliver our food or items that we really heavily rely on
19:54and also other similar services.
19:56People who spend long hours on the road exposed to the sun.
19:59Their work becomes slower, income for them may drop,
20:02and in some cases, their safety is at risk.
20:05But the impacts go far beyond individual workers.
20:08You know, heat waves can disrupt entire systems.
20:11Schools may need to close or limit outdoor activities.
20:14Agricultural production suffers due to prolonged heat and drought.
20:18And infrastructure, you know, from electricity grids to roads can be strained or damaged.
20:23And in Asia, record heat is already driving up electricity demand for cooling,
20:29straining power systems, and also increasing costs for household and businesses.
20:34Prolonged heat also threatens our food security, you know,
20:37affecting smaller, smallholder farmers and vulnerable communities.
20:41So the IFRC, you know, really emphasizes that these impacts are often invisible,
20:46but really widespread, creating what we call a silent disaster.
20:49And that hits hardest on those least able to absorb the economic losses and worsens existing inequalities.
20:57So in short, you know, extreme heat doesn't really just slow people down.
21:01It really undermines productivity, disrupts key sectors,
21:04and generates cascading economic and social consequences that affect health,
21:08livelihoods, and community as a whole.
21:10I think you've pointed out and emphasized a lot on community preparedness,
21:15on, you know, it's really as simple as checking on one another,
21:18on, you know, members of the community for early signs of particularly health risk associated with heat.
21:25What are some of the practical steps that we can take?
21:28Or what are some of the early warning signs symptoms that we can see,
21:32you know, very visibly that heat might have on another person to do with health particularly?
21:40I think you are asking a bit more on the heat stroke and heat exhaustion kind of signs and symptoms.
21:46Yes, I think there are very clear telltale signs of when someone is maybe experiencing heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
21:55Particularly, of course, one you can visibly see, you know, they may be sweating very profusely.
22:02Their breathing may increase due to the exertion of the body trying to cool off better.
22:07You can also see on them, you know, the skin turning red and they look very lethargic and go pale.
22:15So those are some of the quick telltale signs of someone experiencing heat exhaustion.
22:21And what would be the simple, I would say, steps that you can take is really to just,
22:26one, find some shade, two, hydrate as much as possible,
22:30and three, also ensure that the area is well ventilated.
22:34So not only that you find shade indoors to make sure that the location that we select is also well
22:40ventilated
22:40so that the heat is not a heat trap area.
22:42On that point of community preparedness and action, how are Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies volunteers across the region,
22:51in Malaysia, in Southeast Asia, particularly in countries that are most at risk of heat-related issues,
23:00how are Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies volunteers helping communities prepare for and respond to extreme heat,
23:07particularly to do with the El Niño phenomenon this year.
23:10We're hearing a lot of, you know, concerns being raised by experts.
23:12So what are some of the, you know, action being taken by volunteers to help communities prepare?
23:18Yes, thank you.
23:19Now, volunteers are really the heart of the Red Cross and Red Crescent movement's response.
23:23And, you know, they are usually our first line of action at the community level,
23:27really driving locally-led action initiatives.
23:31And across the Asia-Pacific and beyond, you know, volunteers engage, you know,
23:34really in many practical, life-saving actions to prepare communities for this extreme heat.
23:39For one, many of our volunteers have already registered a lot of interest of activities planned for heat action day.
23:47And many of them are saying that they are, they will be carrying out or organizing public information campaigns,
23:55workshops, and even doing door-to-door outreach to teach people on how to stay hydrated,
24:01create cooler indoor spaces and recognize signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
24:05Many also are leading creative awareness initiatives from art-themed campaigns and flash mobs
24:12to even school lessons, interactive games, and even storytelling for children.
24:17Last year, for example, the Bahrain Red Crescent conducted field visits to workers at job sites,
24:24construction sites, providing health tips, even light meals, and even protective equipment
24:29while explaining preventive measures against sunstroke.
24:33And in Bangladesh, for example, volunteers are held awareness sessions for school students,
24:40distributed even essential kits and umbrellas, and even offered, you know,
24:44oral rehydration salts to pedestrians during extreme heat periods.
24:48Volunteers also actually provide hands-on support, checking in on elderly people, infants,
24:54and those with, you know, chronic illnesses, distributing clean water and providing cooling materials,
24:59especially, you know, in high-risk, low-income communities.
25:03And importantly, the IFRC also emphasizes that volunteers play a key role in early warning and early action.
25:09So sometimes it's literally basically a volunteer on a loud hailer going around the village,
25:15you know, shouting and informing the community that, you know, there's currently high temperatures
25:20that the community is experiencing.
25:22So when heat alerts are really issued, you know, they really help them to understand the risk and act quickly.
25:27These trusted local volunteers are essential to turning forecasts into real-world action,
25:32ultimately saving lives.
25:34There are also other, you know, notable initiatives across the region,
25:37which includes youth volunteers in Kyrgyzstan, again,
25:40running child-centred interactive activities to teach hydration and shade practices.
25:46And the Indian Red Cross as well, distributing what we say heatwave kits,
25:51which includes towels, water bottles, umbrellas, and even cautionary notes to workers, labourers,
25:57and migrant population exposed to prolonged sun.
26:01So volunteers are also, you know, helping to set up what we say cooling centres
26:05and awareness stations in urban areas like in Pakistan, Indonesia, the Philippines,
26:11ensuring that communities are supported both before and during heatwaves.
26:16So really in short, our volunteers inform, protect, and empower communities.
26:20And by combining awareness, practical support, nature-based and structural interventions
26:26and anticipatory action, they ensure that the most vulnerable, you know,
26:30children, older adults, and outdoor workers are prepared for extreme heat,
26:34making early warnings effective and saving lives.
26:36Thank you so much, Gerald.
26:37I hope, you know, with what we've discussed today,
26:40a little knowledge goes a long way in trying to spread much needed awareness,
26:45I think, on heat risks, the threat of extreme weather events,
26:51particularly in countries like Malaysia, where we underestimated.
26:53Thank you once again, Gerald.
26:55Thank you. Thank you for having me.
26:56That is all on Awani Global this week.
26:57We'll catch you again next time.
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