Global El Niño Threat Prompts FAO and WFP to Launch $202M Appeal for 8.8 Million People
• The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) have issued a joint appeal for $202 million to mitigate the impacts of a strengthening El Niño event expected in the latter half of
• This weather phenomenon is forecasted to bring drier-than-average conditions to some regions and heightened flood risks to others, disrupting agricultural cycles, water availability, and food security. The appeal targets 22 high-risk countries across Africa, Asia, the Pacific, and Latin America and the Caribbean, where millions are already grappling with food insecurity due to conflict, economic instability, and recurrent weather shocks. The funding will support anticipatory actions such as cash assistance, drought-tolerant seeds, livestock protection, water storage systems, and flood defenses. FAO and WFP emphasize that early action can prevent crises, with every dollar invested potentially saving up to $7 in response costs.
Why It's Important?
The strengthening El Niño is expected to exacerbate food insecurity and disrupt livelihoods in vulnerable regions. Droughts, floods, and storms could severely impact planting, harvesting, and livestock production, particularly in Africa, Asia, the Pacific, and Latin America. Millions of people in these areas are already facing acute food insecurity, and the additional strain from extreme weather could lead to widespread humanitarian crises. The FAO and WFP warn that without timely intervention, families may face critical food shortages, loss of income, and long-term economic instability.
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