{
  "id": 19833652,
  "title": "El Nino: Act now for $36 billion or face $73 billion bill, UN warns",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/13/el-nino-act-now-for-36-billion-or-face-73-billion-bill-un-warns",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-13T16:16:48.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Gulf News",
    "slug": "gulf-news",
    "url": "https://gulfnews.com/world/europe/el-nino-act-now-for-36-billion-or-face-73-billion-bill-un-warns-1.500746440"
  },
  "original_language": "es",
  "account": "The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) warns that failing to act against the devastating effects of the El Niño phenomenon could result in a $73 billion cost, compared to just $36 billion if action is taken now. Alexander De Croo, head of the UNDP, made this statement at the UN climate conference in Antalya, Turkey. The UNDP highlighted that El Niño, a climate phenomenon occurring every two to seven years, has been particularly strong this time, disrupting weather patterns globally.\n\nDe Croo emphasized that delaying action would only exacerbate the situation, stating, \"If you don't do it, the cost will be $73 billion.\" He urged developed nations and major players like the International Monetary Fund to step up and fund efforts by vulnerable developing countries to mitigate the impacts of El Niño. This investment, he argued, would not only save lives and protect crops and infrastructure but also save money in the long term.\n\nDeveloping nations are seeking more financial support from wealthier countries due to their historic responsibility for global warming. While acknowledging the financial struggles of many wealthy nations, De Croo argued that investing in climate security is a prudent move, stating, \"Tackling climate insecurity also helps in other types of insecurity.\"\n\nThe UNDP stressed that the cost of inaction would be significantly higher than the cost of taking action, with nearly half a million people potentially dying from El Niño heat by February. The organization is working with 47 countries to increase trust among funders and provide assistance to the most affected developing countries.",
  "summary": "Act now against El Nino or costs will double, UNDP warns",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}