UN Alert: El Nio Could Drive 49 Million More Into Hunger

POLICY WIRE — New York, USA — The United Nations has issued a stark warning that the impending El Nio weather phenomenon could drive an additional 49 million people into acute food insecurity, bringing the global total to an alarming 274 million across 45 countries. The World Food Programme (WFP) highlighted the severity of the situation in its latest report.

El Nio, characterized by unusually warm ocean temperatures in the equatorial Pacific, is expected to trigger extreme weather conditions, including droughts and floods, which will severely impact agricultural production and food availability. The WFP emphasized that the most vulnerable populations in developing regions are at the highest risk.

“The combination of conflict, economic downturns, and now El Nio threatens to push millions more into hunger,” said Cindy McCain, Executive Director of the WFP. “We must act swiftly to provide assistance — and prevent a humanitarian crisis.”

The UN’s warning comes as several regions are already grappling with the fallout from previous climate-related disasters. In Guatemala, the recent eruption of the Fuego Volcano has displaced 1,700 people and threatened local agriculture with ash and mud. Similarly, UK farmers have warned of smaller — and more expensive vegetables due to record heatwaves.

The humanitarian agency called on the international community to increase funding and support for affected regions to mitigate the impact of El Nio. The WFP’s report underscores the urgent need for coordinated global action to address the growing food crisis.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)