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El Niño Expected to Exacerbate Global Hunger, Affecting 49 Million More People

El Niño Expected to Exacerbate Global Hunger, Affecting 49 Million More People

The strengthening El Niño phenomenon is projected to push an additional 49 million people into acute hunger by the end of 2027. The World Food Programme (WFP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) have warned that the effects of El Niño, including drought, flooding, and extreme temperatures, will significantly impact food security in regions such as Central America, southern Africa, and parts of Asia. The number of acutely food-insecure people is expected to rise by approximately 22%, from 225 million to 274 million. WFP is actively working with partners to implement prevention plans in over 50 countries to mitigate the impact.
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Strengthening El Niño Threatens to Increase Global Hunger by 49 Million

Strengthening El Niño Threatens to Increase Global Hunger by 49 Million

The World Food Programme (WFP) has projected that the strengthening El Niño could push 49 million more people into acute hunger by the end of next year. This would raise the total number of acutely food-insecure individuals from 225 million to 274 million, marking a 22% increase. The regions most at risk include Central America, Southern Africa, and parts of Asia. The WFP is working with partners to implement early action plans in several countries to mitigate the impacts of climate extremes.
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World Food Programme Prepares for El Niño's Impact on Global Food Security

World Food Programme Prepares for El Niño's Impact on Global Food Security

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is intensifying its preparedness and response plans as the El Niño weather pattern threatens to exacerbate food insecurity globally. The WFP's analysis indicates that the 2026-2027 El Niño could push an additional 49 million people into acute food insecurity by the end of 2027. The agency is already implementing early response efforts in several countries, including South Sudan, Chad, and Guatemala, to mitigate the impacts of anticipated floods, droughts, and extreme temperatures. These efforts include anticipatory action plans and financial mechanisms to support vulnerable communities.
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UN World Food Programme Warns of El Niño's Impact on Global Hunger

UN World Food Programme Warns of El Niño's Impact on Global Hunger

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has issued a warning about the potential impact of a powerful El Niño weather pattern, which could push nearly 49 million more people into acute hunger by the end of next year. The WFP highlighted that this El Niño could become the strongest since 1950, with Pacific Ocean temperatures expected to reach their highest levels since at least 1982. This weather phenomenon is anticipated to cause widespread droughts, floods, and erratic rainfall, threatening food production in vulnerable regions. The WFP's assessment of 45 countries most at risk suggests that the number of people facing acute food insecurity could rise to about 274 million. Central America and Southern Africa are projected to be among the hardest-hit regions, with significant increases in food insecurity. The WFP also noted that funding cuts from the United States and Europe are hindering their ability to track emerging hunger crises effectively.
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World Food Programme Warns of El Niño's Impact on Global Hunger

World Food Programme Warns of El Niño's Impact on Global Hunger

The World Food Programme (WFP) has issued a warning about the potential impact of a powerful El Niño weather pattern, which could push nearly 49 million more people into acute hunger by the end of next year. This would bring the global total to 274 million people facing severe food insecurity. Scientists predict an 81 percent chance of an exceptionally strong El Niño, with Pacific Ocean temperatures reaching unprecedented levels. The phenomenon is expected to cause droughts, floods, and erratic rainfall, severely affecting crop production in vulnerable regions, particularly Central America and Southern Africa. The WFP also highlights that ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, coupled with weather-related crop failures, could further elevate food prices, exacerbating the situation for vulnerable families. The agency is expanding early assistance programs in 18 countries and urges governments and humanitarian partners to prepare for what could be one of the most severe climate-driven food emergencies in year...
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Powerful El Niño Could Push 49 Million Into Acute Hunger, UN Warns

Powerful El Niño Could Push 49 Million Into Acute Hunger, UN Warns

A strong El Niño event is expected to significantly impact global weather patterns, with the UN's World Food Programme (WFP) warning that nearly 49 million additional people could face acute food insecurity by the end of 2027. The WFP report, released on August 5, 2026, highlights an 81% probability of a very strong El Niño, with sea surface temperatures reaching their highest levels since at least 1982. This phenomenon, characterized by the warming of Pacific Ocean surface temperatures, is linked to droughts in Southern Africa, delayed monsoons in parts of Asia, and erratic rainfall globally. Vulnerable regions such as Central America, Southern Africa, and parts of South and Southeast Asia are expected to experience severe agricultural disruptions, exacerbating food insecurity.
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FAO Warns of Imminent Global Food Price Surge Due to Geopolitical and Climate Factors

FAO Warns of Imminent Global Food Price Surge Due to Geopolitical and Climate Factors

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has issued a warning about a potential surge in global food prices. The FAO's chief economist attributes this to a combination of wars in Iran and Ukraine, along with the impacts of El Niño on crop yields. These factors are creating a 'perfect storm' that could lead to significant increases in the prices of grains, oilseeds, and other key foodstuffs. The geopolitical conflicts are disrupting planting, logistics, and export flows, while El Niño is expected to depress yields in various regions, particularly affecting rice, palm oil, sugar, and some coarse grains. This situation is likely to tighten stock-to-use ratios and increase production and transport costs.
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UN Agency Warns El Niño Could Push 49 Million Into Acute Hunger

UN Agency Warns El Niño Could Push 49 Million Into Acute Hunger

The World Food Programme (WFP) has reported that a powerful El Niño weather event could lead to nearly 49 million additional people facing acute food insecurity by the end of next year. This prediction is based on an 81% chance of a very strong El Niño, with sea surface temperatures at their highest since at least 1982. El Niño, known for altering global weather patterns, is often linked to droughts in Southern Africa, delayed monsoons in parts of Asia, and erratic rainfall elsewhere. The WFP's analysis of 45 vulnerable countries suggests that the number of people experiencing acute food insecurity could rise by 22%, affecting regions like Central America and Southern Africa the most. The report also highlights potential impacts in South America and the Caribbean, with over 12 million additional people possibly falling into acute food insecurity.
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El Niño Threatens to Push 50 Million into Acute Hunger by Next Year

El Niño Threatens to Push 50 Million into Acute Hunger by Next Year

The rapidly developing El Niño weather system is projected to push approximately 50 million people into acute hunger by the end of next year. This development adds to the existing crisis where hundreds of millions are already facing severe hunger due to prolonged droughts in Africa and rising food prices influenced by geopolitical tensions. The UN's World Food Programme (WFP) has highlighted that even a less severe El Niño could exacerbate food insecurity, affecting regions like Central and South America, the Caribbean, and southern Africa the most. The current El Niño is anticipated to be the strongest in 70 years, with significant impacts on global food prices and agricultural productivity.
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World Food Programme Warns El Niño Could Push 50 Million into Acute Hunger

World Food Programme Warns El Niño Could Push 50 Million into Acute Hunger

The World Food Programme (WFP) has issued a warning that the rapidly developing El Niño weather system could push approximately 50 million people into acute hunger by the end of next year. This situation is exacerbated by ongoing droughts in parts of Africa and rising food prices due to geopolitical tensions. The WFP's data indicates that 225 million people in 45 countries are already experiencing acute food insecurity. The El Niño phenomenon, which alters global rainfall patterns, is expected to severely impact regions such as Central and South America, the Caribbean, and southern Africa. The WFP is implementing anticipatory actions to mitigate the effects of this extreme weather, although funding and data collection challenges persist.
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Strong El Niño could push 49 million more people into acute hunger, UN agency says

Strong El Niño could push 49 million more people into acute hunger, UN agency says

By Olivia Le Poidevin GENEVA, Aug 5 (Reuters) - A powerful El Niño weather event could push an additional nearly 49 million people into acute food insecurity across some of the world's most vulnerable regions by the end of next year, the World Food Programme said on Wednesday.