The Food and Agriculture Organization and World Food Programme seek $202 million to mitigate impacts of El Niño on vulnerable populations
Category: Health
As the world braces for the potential impacts of a strong El Niño weather pattern, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) have taken a proactive step by launching their first-ever Joint Anticipatory Action Appeal. This urgent appeal seeks $202 million to protect nearly nine million people across 22 high-risk countries from the devastating effects of climate shocks anticipated in the coming months.
The FAO and WFP’s appeal comes at a time when many regions are already grappling with food insecurity, exacerbated by conflicts, economic instability, and previous weather-related shocks. The forecast indicates that El Niño is expected to strengthen, leading to a mix of drier-than-average conditions in some areas and increased flood risks in others. These contrasting weather patterns could disrupt agricultural production, threaten livelihoods, and heighten food insecurity across vulnerable populations.
El Niño is a climate phenomenon characterized by the periodic warming of sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean. It has broad consequences on global weather patterns, making its monitoring and forecasting critically important. The current outlook suggests that the El Niño conditions will intensify in the second half of 2026, increasing the likelihood of extreme weather events such as droughts, floods, and storms in various regions, including Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
“Strong El Niño conditions are developing, putting millions of food-insecure people at risk and threatening agriculture and livelihoods across multiple regions,” the FAO and WFP stated in their joint release. Drier weather is predicted in Southern Africa, Central America, parts of Asia and the Pacific, and Eastern Africa, which could severely impact food production. Conversely, regions like the Horn of Africa may face intensified flooding and storms, posing additional challenges for already vulnerable communities.
The FAO and WFP are already positioned to provide anticipatory actions for 1.2 million people projected to be affected by El Niño. With an additional investment of $167 million, the agencies can expand their support to a total of 8.8 million people across the 22 priority countries. These anticipatory actions include cash assistance, distribution of drought-tolerant seeds, livestock protection measures, and the establishment of water harvesting systems.
“Experience consistently shows that early action is more effective and less costly than responding after a crisis has escalated,” said FAO Deputy Director-General Beth Bechdol. The data supports this assertion, indicating that every dollar invested in anticipatory responses can yield up to $7 in avoided losses and response costs. By acting before crises reach their peak, countries can protect food production and reduce humanitarian needs.
The appeal focuses on 22 countries, selected based on various factors, including meteorological forecasts of El Niño, historical weather patterns, agricultural calendars, and existing levels of food insecurity. The targeted countries span across Africa, Asia, and Latin America, including nations such as Ethiopia, Somalia, Afghanistan, Colombia, and Haiti.
In Africa, countries like Sudan and South Sudan are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of El Niño, as they grapple with existing humanitarian crises. In Asia, Afghanistan and Pakistan face similar threats, where anticipated changes in rainfall patterns could disrupt agricultural cycles and exacerbate food shortages. The Caribbean nations of El Salvador and Honduras also feature prominently in this appeal, highlighting the widespread nature of the risk posed by El Niño.
The FAO and WFP’s joint appeal builds upon past experiences, particularly from the 2023–2024 El Niño event, during which the agencies supported over three million people through anticipatory actions. This proactive approach allowed for timely assistance that mitigated the worst effects of the climate phenomenon. As the upcoming El Niño approaches, it is imperative to scale up financing and preparedness to meet the projected needs.
“We cannot afford the fallout of another food crisis,” emphasized Carl Skau, WFP Acting Executive Director. “With El Niño on the horizon, we have a narrow window to act so families are not forced into impossible choices later.” The focus now shifts to securing the necessary funding to implement these anticipatory actions effectively.
The urgency of the FAO and WFP’s appeal is underscored by the broader implications of climate change. Extreme weather events, driven by climate change, are becoming more frequent and severe, affecting food security and livelihoods globally. The need for early warning systems and anticipatory actions is more pressing than ever, as communities face compounded risks from climate variability.
As the world grapples with the challenges posed by climate change, the FAO and WFP’s initiative serves as a model for proactive disaster management. By investing in anticipatory actions, we can save lives and build resilience against future climate shocks.
The FAO and WFP are calling on the international community to support this appeal and help safeguard the livelihoods of millions at risk. The time to act is now, as the impacts of El Niño loom on the horizon, threatening food security and stability across vulnerable regions.