Brussels, Belgium – The Belgian government is facing widespread criticism following the announcement that more than 1,200 people have died as a result of the unprecedented heatwave of recent weeks. This criticism comes amid accusations that the government failed to take sufficient proactive measures to protect the most vulnerable groups, particularly the elderly and those with chronic illnesses.
Data released by health authorities shows that the exceptional heatwave has caused a significant increase in mortality rates compared to normal levels. Hospitals and emergency departments have been overwhelmed with cases of heat exhaustion, dehydration, and other heat-related complications.
Opposition parties and civil society organizations criticized what they described as the government’s “slow response,” arguing that emergency plans were insufficient to address the heatwave. They also called for an investigation into the high death toll and an assessment of the preparedness of healthcare facilities and nursing homes to cope with extreme weather conditions.
In contrast, the Belgian government asserted that it had activated national emergency plans and issued repeated warnings to the public. Furthermore, it bolstered healthcare services and provided cooling centers in several cities, noting that the heatwave was among the most severe since climate records began.
ويرى خبراء المناخ أن تكرار موجات الحر العنيفة في أوروبا يعكس التأثير المتزايد للتغيرات المناخية. كما حذروا من أن مثل هذه الظواهر ستصبح أكثر شدة وتكرارًا خلال السنوات المقبلة، ما يتطلب استثمارات أكبر في البنية التحتية الصحية وأنظمة الإنذار المبكر وخطط حماية الفئات الأكثر هشاشة.
وتأتي هذه التطورات في وقت تشهد فيه عدة دول أوروبية ارتفاعًا قياسيًا في درجات الحرارة. وقد دفع ذلك السلطات إلى إصدار تحذيرات صحية متواصلة، وسط مخاوف من استمرار تأثير موجات الحر على الصحة العامة وارتفاع أعداد الضحايا إذا استمرت الأجواء الحارة خلال الفترة المقبلة.
