Introduction: The Negev region is a climate change hotspot where vulnerable populations—such as ethnic minorities, single mothers, children, the poorly housed, and undocumented migrants—face heightened health risks due to structural marginalization and limited access to healthcare, resources, and decision-making processes.
This study explores the perceptions and lived experiences of vulnerable Bedouin communities in relation to climate-related health and welfare impacts, maps institutional and community-based coping mechanisms, and develops a model for climate-resilient healthcare and welfare systems.
Methodology: The findings of the study draw from ten focus groups (7–10 participants each) involving Bedouin residents, health professionals, and policymakers, along with 30 semi-structured interviews with stakeholders from healthcare and community leadership.
Findings: Preliminary results indicate significant health and structural vulnerabilities among Bedouin populations in the Negev. Participants address the negative impacts of climate change and the associated health risks, particularly for women, the elderly, and those with chronic conditions. In addition, three dimensions of climate risk perception emerged from the study – cognitive, experiential and sociocultural. These risks are amplified by structural inequalities and poor access to healthcare and infrastructure. Due to historical marginalization and institutional neglect, trust in government systems is low. As a result, communities rely on local knowledge, mutual aid, and informal support networks to cope with climate-related challenges.
Conclusions: The findings highlight climate injustice: those least responsible bear the greatest burden. Addressing this requires equitable, community-driven adaptation strategies rooted in resilience, inclusion, and cultural relevance. The results of the study call for new coping models that integrate community resilience into local health and welfare policy.
