UNICEF: 25.8 Million Children in Latin America Face El Niño Risks
At least 25.8 million children in Latin America and the Caribbean — about one in seven — live in municipalities facing very high risks from rainfall deficits or excess rainfall associated with El Niño, UNICEF said Sept. 30. The preliminary estimate comes as the climate phenomenon takes hold across the region, threatening access to food, […]
According to UNICEF, approximately 25.8 million children in Latin America and the Caribbean, roughly one in every seven, are living in areas facing high risks due to El Niño. The preliminary estimate was released as the climate phenomenon took hold across the region, threatening access to essential services such as food, clean water, healthcare, education, and child protection.
The figure represents forecast exposure, not the actual number of children already affected by droughts or floods. UNICEF's analysis is based on official national estimates, humanitarian country-team analysis, its Global Child Hazard Database, and GeoSight's 2026 Children's Climate Risk Report exposure layers.
The risks stem from climate shocks that disrupt the services and livelihoods upon which children depend. In Central America, reduced rainfall may negatively impact agricultural production and water availability, while heavier rainfall could lead to flooding, damaging infrastructure and interrupting access to schools, healthcare, and water systems.
In the Eastern Caribbean, Jamaica, Cuba, and Haiti, drought conditions could exacerbate existing crises. Along Mexico's Pacific coast and across South America, above-average rainfall is expected to heighten flood risks and damage infrastructure. Moreover, declining reservoir levels and elevated wildfire risks pose further threats in Bolivia, Colombia, Chile, and Venezuela.
Written by urgent.news from Colombia One's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
