Global Hunger: El Niño Phenomenon Could Push 49 Million People into Food Insecurity

A new report by the UN World Food Programme warns that the El Niño climate phenomenon could add 49 million people to the ranks of the hungry, drive up food prices, and worsen the crisis in 45 vulnerable countries. According to the UN agency, there is an 81% chance of a particularly strong El Niño event, accompanied by sea surface temperatures among the highest recorded since 1982. These data suggest that the current warming could become the most powerful climate event of its kind since 1950. Based on an analysis of 45 countries considered vulnerable to the effects of this natural phenomenon, the number of people facing severe food insecurity is expected to jump to 274 million—a staggering 22% increase. Central America and Southern Africa are expected to bear the brunt, with an 83% and 75% surge in the number of hungry people, respectively. Southern Africa, as well as South America and the Caribbean, could each see over 12 million additional people fall into the vicious cycle of hunger. Bauer noted that although global food markets entered the El Niño period in a relatively stable state thanks to good harvests in 2025, the ongoing war in the Middle East and potential crop losses due to weather could send prices soaring. Meanwhile, funding cuts by donors in the United States and Europe are hampering the ability to collect data and monitor the crisis. In 2024, the organization conducted about 1.1 million surveys, but that number dropped to 800,000 in 2025, and this year there has been a further decline due to severe budget constraints. The agency calls on governments and aid organizations to prepare in advance and not wait. East Africa, the Sahel, and Central America are expected to face severe rainfall shortages, while Somalia and neighboring areas are at risk of devastating floods.