AHRISA

From Evidence to Protective Action

Building a tested and scalable South African model that translates heat-health evidence into warnings, preparedness and response.

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Turning heat-health evidence into action

AHRISA brings together evidence, early warning, preparedness, community adaptation and learning to strengthen how South Africa responds to heat-related health risks.

The project focuses on translating scientific evidence into practical tools and actions that can be used by communities, institutions and decision-makers.

Through demonstration sites and collaboration across sectors, AHRISA aims to develop a model that can be tested, strengthened and scaled.

Evidence → Action

Connecting research, warning systems, preparedness and community-led adaptation to support practical protection from heat-health risks.

Evidence Warnings Action
01

A scalable South African model

A tested and scalable South African model that connects heat-health evidence with warnings, preparedness and protective action.

02

Strengthening protection

To strengthen the ability of communities, institutions and systems to understand, prepare for and respond to heat-health risks.

Supporting communities at risk

AHRISA focuses on groups and communities that may experience increased exposure to heat and its health impacts.

Informal Settlement Residents

Supporting communities living in environments where housing, infrastructure and access to services may increase vulnerability to extreme heat.

Primary School Communities

Supporting learners, educators and school communities to better understand and respond to heat-health risks.

Outdoor & Agricultural Workers

Supporting workers who experience prolonged exposure to heat through outdoor and agricultural activities.

Working across South Africa

AHRISA brings its approach to diverse contexts through demonstration sites in three provinces.

01
GAUTENG

Hammanskraal

A demonstration site focusing on community vulnerability, preparedness and practical adaptation to heat-health risks.

02
NORTHERN CAPE

Kakamas

A demonstration site exploring heat exposure, agricultural contexts and community-level preparedness.

03
WESTERN CAPE

Western Cape

A demonstration context supporting learning, adaptation and integration of heat-health approaches.

Connecting expertise across the system

The project brings together research, warning systems, capacity building, community adaptation and coordination.

01

Heat-Health Thresholds

SAMRC

Developing and strengthening evidence around heat-health thresholds and the relationship between heat exposure and health.

02

Heat-Health Warnings

SAWS

Supporting the development and use of effective heat-health warning information that can inform preparedness and action.

03

Capacity & Governance

FPD

Building capacity and strengthening governance mechanisms to support heat-health preparedness and response.

04

Community Adaptation

Planact

Working with communities to identify practical adaptation approaches that respond to local heat-health risks.

05

Coordination, MERL & Learning

FPD

Coordinating implementation, monitoring, evaluation, research and learning to strengthen the overall model.

Working Together

The five workstreams connect evidence, systems and communities into a coordinated pathway towards protective action.

From evidence to protection

AHRISA connects each stage of the process so that evidence can ultimately support practical action.

Evidence

Generate and use relevant heat-health evidence.

Warnings

Translate evidence into actionable warnings.

Readiness

Strengthen preparedness and institutional capacity.

Protection

Support communities to take protective action.

Learning

Learn, adapt and strengthen the model for scale.

Building practical capacity

The project combines knowledge, communication, practical tools and learning to support meaningful action.

280+

People Trained

Building knowledge and capacity to understand and respond to heat-health risks.

8

Bulletins

Sharing relevant heat-health information to support awareness, preparedness and action.

3

Adaptation Kits

Developing practical resources to support communities and stakeholders in responding to heat-health risks.

Working together for safer, healthier communities

AHRISA connects research, institutions and communities to turn heat-health evidence into practical protective action.

Get in Touch

Let's connect

For more information about the AHRISA project, its demonstration sites and workstreams, please get in touch.

Project Coordination Foundation for Professional Development