Strong El Nino could push 49 million more people into acute hunger, says UN agency
Global acute food insecurity projected to rise to 274 million people across 45 countries, with Central America and Southern Africa forecast to be hardest hit.
The World Food Programme (WFP) warns that the powerful El Niño weather system could push approximately 50 million additional people into acute hunger by the end of next year. This dire prediction comes as 225 million individuals are already grappling with severe food insecurity across 45 countries. El Niño, a weather phenomenon that occurs every few years in the Pacific Ocean and alters global rainfall patterns, is forecasted to be the strongest in at least 70 years.
Central, South America, the Caribbean, and Southern Africa are expected to face the brunt of the crisis. The WFP is allocating at least $80 million for anticipatory relief efforts, hoping to mitigate the worst impacts through early warning systems. The organization emphasizes that even if the forecasted El Niño is milder than initially projected, its effects will still push many countries over the edge, adding over a fifth to the already staggering 225 million people in acute food insecurity.
Written by urgent.news from The Guardian's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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