El Niño drives food insecurity and price hikes in Madagascar
What happened
El Niño is causing food insecurity in Madagascar, where around 80 percent of the population lives below the international poverty line and three-quarters of households rely on agriculture. Around 2.1 million people are currently facing Crisis or worse levels of acute food insecurity. The World Food Programme is providing emergency food, cash, and nutrition assistance.
From wfp.org
Why it matters
A strong El Niño could further reduce harvests and incomes, leading to higher food prices and prolonging the lean season in Madagascar. This situation is restricting families' access to food.
From wfp.org
Who's involved
- MadagascarIsland state experiencing agricultural disruption and food insecurity.
- World Food ProgrammeProvides emergency food, cash, and nutrition assistance.
- El NiñoClimate phenomenon expected to reduce harvests and raise food prices.
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.
- MadagascarSpeculative
Could face severe agricultural disruption and rising food prices.
- World Food ProgrammeSpeculative
May face increased operational costs and funding needs due to worsening food insecurity.
- UNICEFSpeculative
Could see increased demand for emergency humanitarian assistance.
- International Monetary FundSpeculative
May require a reassessment of economic stability due to severe climate shock and inflation.
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The entities involved
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Madagascar
island sovereign state off the coast of Southeast Africa, in the Indian Ocean
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World Food Programme
United Nations branch related to food-assistance
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El Niño
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Related events
- The World Food Programme (WFP) provided emergency food and nutrition assistance in Burkina Faso.
- The South African Weather Service warned of a powerful El Niño, leading to regional food insecurity, while the WFP noted funding collapse impacting aid in Zimbabwe. SADC met in Namibia to discuss the crisis.
- WFP provided technical assistance in the Pacific region in March 2026.
- WFP assists refugees from the DRC in Angola as El Niño exacerbates prolonged drought and poverty.
- 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.