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United Nations forecasters are warning that approximately 50 million people could face acute hunger by the end of next year as a rapidly intensifying El Niño weather system develops across the Pacific Ocean. The projected surge would represent a significant increase to the 225 million individuals already experiencing severe food insecurity across 45 countries, according to assessments by the World Food Programme.
The anticipated impacts are expected to be most severe in Central and South America, the Caribbean region, and southern Africa, where altered rainfall patterns will disrupt agricultural production. South and Southeast Asia may also experience below-average precipitation, threatening farming communities and food output in those areas. This crisis compounds existing hunger challenges stemming from prolonged droughts in parts of Africa and global food price pressures linked to regional conflicts.
Experts describe this El Niño as potentially the strongest to occur in at least seven decades, with climate change amplifying its effects and potentially making 2027 the hottest year on record. The World Food Programme is allocating at least $80 million toward early warning systems and preventative relief measures to minimize the disaster’s impact. While farmers may benefit initially from last year’s favorable harvests, the most severe food security crisis is expected to emerge during the 2027-2028 lean season following the main growing period.
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Originally reported by Theguardian →
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