The ongoing El Niño poses significant risks to global food security, particularly in regions like southern Africa, Central America, India, and Australia, where agricultural yields are expected to decline. Southern Africa, for instance, could see a 20% drop in maize production, similar to past strong El Niño events. Vulnerable countries, already strained by economic and geopolitical challenges, may face cascading failures in food systems, increased poverty, and heightened conflict. The economic toll could reach $686 billion, with potential long-term losses of up to $3.1 trillion over the next five years. Aid agencies, including the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Food Programme, have issued appeals for funding to support nearly 9 million people in high-risk areas.