Act before El Niño: Expert worries about deepening hunger in East and South Africa

El Niño, a naturally occurring climate pattern, is causing concern among experts due to its potential to deepen hunger issues in East and South Africa. This warming event, which involves unusually warm surface waters in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean, already underway, and getting stronger according to the World Meteorological Organization. The WMO predicts a nearly 100% chance of El Niño continuing through February 2027, with the event expected to peak in December.

Regional forecasters predict a 90% chance of heavier-than-usual rainfall in southern Ethiopia, central to southern Somalia, and northeastern Kenya between October and December 2026. This excessive rainfall could result in flooding, destroy crops, spread diseases, and render health services inaccessible in certain areas, depending on local conditions and the season.

Action Against Hunger, an international aid organization, reports that families in southern Madagascar are facing food shortages earlier than usual due to a season of poor harvests. Their teams are treating children for malnourishment, while households continue to experience worsening food insecurity. However, cuts in aid are making it harder to obtain help in tackling malnourishment.

UNICEF reported on August 21 that 205 health and nutrition facilities in Somalia have closed due to funding cuts, forcing families to travel farther to find care. This situation highlights the critical need for immediate action to prevent further deepening of hunger and malnutrition in East and South Africa in the face of the impending El Niño event.