Modern Diplomacy

WFP Warns Strong El Niño Could Worsen Global Hunger Crisis

1281190

The Straits Times

El Nino could push 49 million more people into acute hunger

Yeni Safak

WFP warns El Nino may push 49M into hunger by 2027

Anadolu Agency

UN agency warns El Nino could push 49M more people into acute hunger by end of 2027

Metaculus

Will there be at least 2˚C of global warming by 2100?

Strong El Nio could push 49 million more people into acute hunger

What is the IPC? The 5 steps from food security to famine

Independent

UN warns monster El Nio could push 49 million more people into hunger

Financial Times

El Niño is not the real problem here

What is El Nio, how does it affect hunger and how does WFP respond?

World Meteorological Organization

Strong El Nio expected to intensify

NOAA

Climate Prediction Center: ENSO Diagnostic Discussion

World Food Programme ramps up preparedness and response plans as El Nio threatens to push tens of millions into acute hunger

Reuters

Strong El Niño could push 49 million more people into acute hunger, UN agency says

FOX News

Trump administration touts more than $1B in UN budget cuts as reform push gains momentum

Charles III

Donald Trump

Elon Musk

Joe Biden

Nancy Pelosi

Xi Jinping

Rishi Sunak

Kamala Harris

Justin Trudeau

Narendra Modi

Bill Gates

Pope Francis

Janet Yellen

Emmanuel Macron

Olaf Scholz

Angela Merkel

Yuval Noah Harari

António Guterres

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

Barack Obama

Kofi Annan

Michael Mann

James Inhofe

Greta Thunberg

David Attenborough

Giorgia Meloni

Patrick Michaels

Jane Goodall

Bjorn Lomborg

Freeman Dyson

"[C]limate change is just a very, very expensive form of tax."

"I believe in climate change caused by human beings. What I'm skeptical about is the glib notion that it means the end of the world as we know it."

"The clock is no longer just ticking, it is banging."

"There is no long-term prosperity without action on climate change."

"The time for seeking global solutions [to climate change] is running out."

"The climate crisis is the existential threat. That's not hyperbole; it's a fact."

"[W]e are killing our planet."

Climate change is "above all, an existential crisis."

"Climate change is one of the greatest challenges mankind faces."

"If we don't take action, the collapse of our civilisations and the extinction of much of the natural world is on the horizon."

"Humanity is on thin ice — and that ice is melting fast."

"We haven't yet exceeded the bounds of viable human civilisation, but we're getting close."

Is Climate Change an Existential Threat?

The U.N. World Food Programme estimates that an emerging El Niño event could push nearly 49 million additional people into acute food insecurity by end of 2027, raising the total to approximately 274 million across 45 vulnerable countries — a 22% increase over current levels.

The U.N. World Food Programme estimates that an emerging El Niño event could push nearly 49 million additional people into acute food insecurity by end of 2027, raising the total to approximately 274 million across 45 vulnerable countries — a 22% increase over current levels.

The WFP reports an 81% probability of a very strong El Niño, with Pacific sea surface temperatures at their warmest since at least 1982, potentially making it the strongest such event since 1950. The event is expected to peak between September and December 2026.

The WFP reports an 81% probability of a very strong El Niño, with Pacific sea surface temperatures at their warmest since at least 1982, potentially making it the strongest such event since 1950. The event is expected to peak between September and December 2026.

Central America is projected to see the largest proportional rise in food insecurity at 83%, while Southern Africa could see an increase of nearly 75%. Southern Africa, South America and the Caribbean could each record more than 12 million additional people facing acute hunger.

Central America is projected to see the largest proportional rise in food insecurity at 83%, while Southern Africa could see an increase of nearly 75%. Southern Africa, South America and the Caribbean could each record more than 12 million additional people facing acute hunger.

NOAA forecasts an 82% chance of El Niño forming by May–July 2026 and a 96% chance of it persisting through Northern Hemisphere winter 2026–27, though no strength category currently exceeds a 37% probability.

NOAA forecasts an 82% chance of El Niño forming by May–July 2026 and a 96% chance of it persisting through Northern Hemisphere winter 2026–27, though no strength category currently exceeds a 37% probability.

Funding reductions from U.S. and European donors have led WFP household surveys to drop from approximately 1.1 million in 2024 to around 800,000 in 2025, with further declines this year, weakening the monitoring of emerging food crises.

Guardian

Funding reductions from U.S. and European donors have led WFP household surveys to drop from approximately 1.1 million in 2024 to around 800,000 in 2025, with further declines this year, weakening the monitoring of emerging food crises.

WFP has activated anticipatory action plans in over 50 countries, reaching more than 1.3 million people with cash and other assistance this year. The agency notes that every $1 invested in anticipatory programs can generate up to $7 in avoided losses.

WFP has activated anticipatory action plans in over 50 countries, reaching more than 1.3 million people with cash and other assistance this year. The agency notes that every $1 invested in anticipatory programs can generate up to $7 in avoided losses.

El Niño could push 50m people into acute hunger before end of next year

El Niño could push 50m people into acute hunger before end of next year

The Controversies

Trump

Michaels

Harris

Sunak

Francis

Biden

Macron

Thunberg

Merkel

Attenborough

Guterres

Mann

Go Deeper

Sign Up for Our Free Newsletters
Sign Up for Our Free Newsletters

El Niño could push 50m people into acute hunger before end of next year

El Niño could push 50m people into acute hunger before end of next year

The Controversies

Trump

Michaels

Harris

Sunak

Francis

Biden

Macron

Thunberg

Merkel

Attenborough

Guterres

Mann

Go Deeper

Sign Up for Our Free NewslettersSign Up for Our Free Newsletters

Sign Up for Our Free Newsletters
Sign Up for Our Free Newsletters