WFP warns powerful El Niño could push millions into hunger

The World Food Programme has issued a dire warning that a powerful El Niño weather pattern could push nearly 49 million more people into acute hunger by the end of next year, raising the global total to 274 million. Scientists estimate an 81 percent chance of an exceptionally strong El Niño, with Pacific Ocean temperatures reaching levels not observed in decades. This climate phenomenon is projected to cause widespread droughts, floods, and unpredictable rainfall patterns, posing serious threats to agricultural output and food security in some of the world’s most vulnerable regions. The impact of this El Niño is expected to be most pronounced in Central America and Southern Africa, where severe food insecurity is anticipated to rise sharply. Millions of people in these areas may face greater difficulty accessing sufficient food, exacerbating existing challenges. The WFP notes that the combination of extreme weather conditions and ongoing conflicts in the Middle East could further destabilize food markets, leading to increased food prices and heightened hardship for already struggling households. The forecasted effects of El Niño extend beyond immediate food shortages. Cuts in international funding have significantly weakened the capacity of food-security monitoring systems, making it harder to identify and respond to emerging crises in a timely manner. This lack of resources hampers efforts to provide early warnings and support to affected communities, increasing the risk of situations spiraling out of control. In response to the growing threat, the WFP is expanding its early assistance programs in 18 countries. These initiatives aim to provide critical aid before food shortages escalate. However, the agency emphasizes that sustained action from governments and humanitarian organizations is essential to mitigate the potential consequences of the El Niño. Without coordinated efforts, the situation could worsen, potentially marking one of the worst climate-driven food emergencies in recent history. The El Niño phenomenon, which occurs roughly every three to five years, involves the warming of ocean surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific. This shift disrupts normal weather patterns, often resulting in drier-than-usual conditions in parts of South America and Southeast Asia while causing heavy rainfall and flooding in other regions. The current forecast suggests that the upcoming El Niño will be among the strongest on record, with implications far-reaching and long-lasting. The WFP’s warning underscores the urgent need for global cooperation in addressing the complex interplay between climate change, economic instability, and food security. As the likelihood of an intense El Niño grows, so too does the importance of proactive measures to safeguard vulnerable populations. With the coming months likely to bring increasingly severe weather conditions, the call for immediate and robust intervention has never been clearer.