The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has issued a stark warning that the rapidly intensifying El Niño weather pattern could push an additional 50 million people into acute hunger by the end of next year.
Humanitarian crisis deepening
Currently, 225 million people across 45 countries are already facing acute food insecurity, a figure that could rise by more than a fifth due to El Niño's effects. The climate-driven disruption will worsen conditions for millions already struggling with conflict, economic turmoil, and drought, the UN report states.
Hardest-hit regions
The most severe impacts are expected in Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Southern Africa. Reduced rainfall in South and Southeast Asia is projected to severely hamper agricultural output. Scientists note that this El Niño, which occurs every few years in the Pacific Ocean, could be one of the strongest in 70 years, with some experts informally calling it a 'Super El Niño' to underscore its potential magnitude.
2027 could break temperature records
Researchers warn that combined with the ongoing climate crisis, El Niño could make 2027 the hottest year on record. Prolonged droughts, extreme heat, and erratic rainfall are expected to slash crop yields and drive up global food prices. Farmers may take months or even years to recover from the losses.
Urgent call for preventive action
WFP has allocated at least $80 million for early warning systems and preemptive humanitarian aid, but acknowledges that funding gaps and insufficient data collection are limiting its response capacity. The agency also stressed that major food-exporting countries must refrain from imposing export restrictions, which could exacerbate price spikes and accessibility issues. In Europe, farmers are already reporting crop damage from scorching temperatures and lack of rainfall, while retailers brace for further price increases.
