UN: El Niño Could Cause 49 Million People to Face Hunger

The number of people facing acute food insecurity could increase by nearly 49 million by the end of 2027 due to the intensifying El Niño climate phenomenon, according to the UN World Food Programme (WFP) on Wednesday. The WFP stated that the 2015-2016 El Niño impacted the food security of 60 to 100 million people, and its preliminary analysis projects that the 2026-2027 El Niño could cause at least 49 million more people to experience acute food insecurity by the end of 2027. The UN agency analysed 45 countries already facing food instability, where El Niño is likely to have a significant impact on rainfall, temperatures, and the potential for drought and flooding. It noted that a very strong event is highly probable, given that surface temperatures have already reached record highs. The phenomenon could potentially be the strongest since 1950. Its peak is expected between September and December 2026, with impacts continuing to be felt into 2027. Central America and Southern Africa are expected to be the most affected regions, with significant deteriorations in food security conditions also anticipated in East Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. El Niño is a natural phenomenon where sea surface temperatures in the equatorial Pacific rise to abnormal levels, triggering climate changes worldwide. A UN report released in July showed that global hunger figures fell for three consecutive years through 2025, with 608 to 696 million people facing food crises.