Accra, Ghana — The World Food Programme (WFP) has issued a dire warning, predicting that the intensifying El Niño weather pattern could exacerbate the global food crisis, pushing an additional 49 million people into acute hunger by the close of 2027. This would raise the total number of individuals facing severe food insecurity to 274 million worldwide.
The WFP’s early assistance programs are being expanded across 18 countries in anticipation of the potential severe climate-driven food emergency. El Niño, characterized by abnormally warm Pacific Ocean temperatures, is anticipated to cause extreme weather events such as droughts, floods, and irregular rainfall, affecting food production in vulnerable regions. Historical data indicates that the 2015-2016 El Niño event resulted in food insecurity for between 60 to 100 million people, and current projections suggest the 2026-2027 event could be even more severe.
Carl Skau, WFP’s Acting Executive Director, emphasized the urgency of early preparation: “El Niño poses a massive threat to the food security of millions who are already vulnerable.
The sooner we assist families in preparing for these climate shocks, the better our ability to save lives and protect livelihoods. “.
The WFP is currently working in eight countries to bolster the resilience of communities already addressing poverty, conflict, unemployment, and frequent climate — related extremes. This includes distributing cash and other forms of assistance to over 1. 3 million people this year to mitigate the impact of extreme weather.
The challenge is further compounded by the reduction in international funding, which has weakened food — security monitoring efforts, making it harder to detect crises early.
The WFP’s Annual Review 2024 points to the escalating demand for humanitarian support in 2024, driven by new and ongoing conflicts, frequent disasters, economic instability, and persistent inflation.
The World Bank’s AgriConnect Compact, launched in Ghana, aims to bolster food security, create employment, reduce food imports, and attract investment in priority agricultural sectors.
However, the success of such initiatives hinges on sustained international funding and collaboration.
As El Niño strengthens, the global community is called upon to unite against the looming humanitarian crisis.
The WFP’s early action programs, along with partnerships, are vital in preparing for and responding to the impacts of this powerful weather phenomenon.
The WFP’s future actions include ongoing monitoring of El Niño, enhancing preparedness and response strategies, and advocating for increased funding and support for food security initiatives in affected regions.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: Africanews
Source: Rédaction Africanews
