- El Niño cycle increases drought risk across Southern Africa, Sahel, Central America, Southeast Asia, and the Caribbean, pressuring global food prices.
- El Niño is expected to bring drier conditions to Central America and Southern Africa, prompting a joint warning from FAO and WFP. Kenya has appointed Kithure Kindiki to lead a special Cabinet committee on the matter.
El Niño Forecasts Intensify Food Insecurity Risk in Central America and Africa
- Reports
- 3
- Developments
- 1
- Repetition
- 67%
New informationRepeats or wire copies
What happened
The World Meteorological Organization projects tropical Pacific sea-surface temperatures could reach 3.8°C above average from November 2026 through January 2027. Tom Fletcher, the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, warned that climate impacts could worsen food insecurity for 50 million people. The UN Central Emergency Response Fund released over $50 million for preparedness in countries including El Salvador, Chad, Ethiopia, Somalia, and South Sudan.
From econotimes.com
Why it matters
The projected strength of El Niño could intensify food, water, and livelihood pressures across vulnerable regions. The WMO noted that Southern Africa faces a greater risk of dry conditions, while Southeast Asia could see rainfall deficits that pressure agriculture and water supplies.
El Niño is expected to bring drier conditions to Central America and Southern Africa, prompting a joint warning from the Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Food Programme.
From econotimes.com
Who's involved
- El SalvadorA vulnerable region facing potential food insecurity due to climate impacts.
- United NationsReleased over $50 million through the Central Emergency Response Fund for preparedness.
- World Meteorological OrganizationForecasted the intensity and timing of the El Niño event.
- ChadReceived CERF funding for preparedness ahead of climate risks.
- EthiopiaReceived CERF funding for preparedness ahead of climate risks.
- SomaliaReceived CERF funding for preparedness ahead of climate risks.
- South SudanReceived CERF funding for preparedness ahead of climate risks.
Who could feel it
Possible knock-on effectsThese are possibilities Brind reasoned out, not predictions, and not advice. Most are not stated in any report.
- SomaliaSpeculative
Might receive credit or funding access via CERF preparedness funds for climate response.
- EthiopiaSpeculative
Might receive credit or funding access via CERF preparedness funds for climate response.
- ChadSpeculative
Might receive credit or funding access via CERF preparedness funds for climate response.
- South SudanSpeculative
Might receive credit or funding access via CERF preparedness funds for climate response.
- World Food ProgrammeSpeculative
Could see increased demand for aid and operational scope due to intensified food insecurity.
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The entities involved
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El Salvador
sovereign state in Central America
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El Niño
Spanish rap artist
Related events
- WFP issued warnings about food insecurity in Haiti due to droughts and floods caused by El Niño.
- The World Food Programme reports that several countries, including Yemen, Somalia, South Sudan, and Sudan, are facing critical hunger hotspots due to expected El Niño impacts.
- El Niño is causing severe global weather impacts, including flooding in Kenya and Somalia, drought in Brazil, and wildfire risks in Indonesia.
- El Nino causes severe drought in El Salvador, while weather patterns prompt emergency declarations in California.
- La Niña is the cooler counterpart to El Niño, which is projected to cause drought in El Salvador, while IRC delivers aid in Somalia due to floods.