These terrible sandstorms are a direct result of climate change. Of course, sandstorms aren't uncommon in this part of the world, but the accelerated pace at which they've been occuring is worrying and could even spark conflict in the politically-fragile nation.
It's easy to dismiss any extreme weather event as a consequence of climate change, but in reality they're usually influenced by a myriad of factors that have nothing to do with it. More research is needed before we can establish any direct causal link between the two.
While the richest nations are preoccupied with short-term inflationary and supply issues, the developing world faces the massive and irreversible effects of climate change. Successive empty promises mean poorer countries are left fighting an economic, social, and environmental battle that their vulnerable infrastructures are unprepared to deal with.