El Niño Threatens Global Food Security and Health, Demanding Proactive Responses
The current El Niño event, projected to be historically strong and peak in December with lasting impacts into 2027, is already severely affecting smallholder farmers globally, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. This phenomenon is causing extreme heat, drought, and deluges, leading to significant crop failures. Experts warn that millions of smallholders could face acute hunger and poverty, increasing health problems and potentially child labor. Palm oil suppliers in Indonesia are reporting losses due to prolonged drought, while delayed rains in Sudan raise famine risks. In Central America, Guatemalan farmers are experiencing sharp reductions in food crops, prompting emergency declarations in El Salvador, Honduras, and Panama, as well as Bolivia and Peru. The United Nations estimates that this El Niño could push an additional 49 million people into acute hunger, with southern Africa and Central America being the hardest hit.
