El Niño threatens more than two-thirds of children in East and Southern Africa

El Niño threatens over two-thirds of children in eastern and southern Africa NAIROBI, September 2, 2026, Over 162 million children, or more than two-thirds of all children in eastern and southern Africa, live in areas exposed to the impacts of the intensifying weather phenomenon El Niño during the 2026/2027 cycle, according to UNICEF. Escalating droughts, extreme heat and flooding threaten children’s nutrition, health, access to clean drinking water and sanitation, education and safety. Forecasts offer a short but critical window for action before the worst consequences unfold. “Threats posed by El Niño are increasing, and risks for children are already very clear,” said Etleva Kadilli, regional director of UNICEF for Eastern and Southern Africa. “Children across the region face uncertainty regarding food and water security, overwhelmed healthcare systems and disruptions to education. Further major climate shocks will likely push children and the systems they depend on to the brink.” UNICEF assessments highlight several interconnected risks for children that require immediate action, affecting countries including Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. In Somalia, the worst-case flood scenario could directly affect up to 2.5 million people, leading to displacement and impacting children’s access to food, healthcare, clean drinking water and education. In Ethiopia, tens of thousands of children, particularly in regions already facing severe food insecurity and high vulnerability, are expected to be affected. Southern Sudan faces threats from drought, extreme heat and local floods, which could further deepen food insecurity and malnutrition, increase disease outbreaks and raise the risk of widespread displacement. Despite these warnings, less than one percent of international humanitarian aid is currently available for forward-looking actions based on forecasts, although such measures are crucial for saving lives, reducing humanitarian needs and protecting hard-won developmental achievements. UNICEF calls for the following investments to address the gap in preparedness, essential for children, even before the effects reach their peak: Strengthening food services: Ensure life-saving food reserves and expand early detection and treatment of undernutrition. Supporting healthcare systems and water, sanitation and hygiene services: Strengthen disease monitoring, key vaccination campaigns and healthcare services, and ensure clean drinking water, sanitation and hygiene. Enable uninterrupted education for children: Strengthen school infrastructure and prepare safe alternative learning spaces before disruptions occur. Protect children from violence and exploitation: Expand psychosocial support, search for family members in cases of separation, and facilitate family reunification and measures to prevent gender-based violence. Strengthen social protection mechanisms that can respond to shocks: Link early warning systems with pre-planned cash assistance and other social protection measures while strengthening the capacity of national systems led by governments to respond to future shocks. Within the already defined financial needs for the year 2026 in the Humanitarian Action for Children (HAC) programme, UNICEF urgently requires 173 million dollars to provide forward-looking and life-saving assistance to children and families in 13 priority countries. Early and flexible financing is essential, even before the effects of El Niño worsen. Taking action based on forecasts, before the crisis hits, protects children and brings significant benefits: each dollar invested today in reducing disaster risks can save up to 15 dollars in recovery costs later.