A new international coalition has been launched to strengthen coordinated action on sand and dust storms, which have damaging impacts on human health, the environment and key economic sectors in many countries around the world.

WMO is one of the partners in the coalition, which includes the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), UN Development Programme (UNDP), UN Environment (UNEP), UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Health Organization (WHO) and World Bank – among other institutions.

It was launched at the UNCCD Conference of the Parties in New Delhi on 6 September. (Today)

Sand and dust storms are a phenomena severely and increasingly affecting 151 countries- areas in Africa, Asia, North America and Australia, tweeted UNCCD Executive Secretary Ibrahim Thiaw. “It is a global crisis.”

The move, spearheaded by the UN Environment Management Group, comes…