El Niño puts 25.8 million children at risk across Latin America

Thursday 01 - 14:15

By: Azzat Manal

El Niño puts 25.8 million children at risk across Latin America

An estimated 25.8 million children and adolescents across Latin America could be exposed to climate-related risks linked to the return of El Niño, according to UNICEF. The weather phenomenon is expected to bring contrasting conditions across the region, ranging from prolonged drought in some areas to heavier rainfall and flooding in others.

The potential impacts extend beyond extreme weather itself. Changes in rainfall and temperature can affect access to food and drinking water, disrupt essential services and increase pressure on communities that are already vulnerable. UNICEF has warned that children are particularly exposed to the consequences of such disruptions because they can affect nutrition, healthcare, education and living conditions.

The effects of El Niño are expected to vary considerably depending on location. Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua could face significant challenges from reduced rainfall, with drought potentially affecting agricultural production. Lower crop yields can place additional pressure on food supplies and household access to water, increasing the risk of nutritional problems among children.

Parts of Bolivia, Colombia, Chile and Venezuela could also face a higher risk of wildfires as drier conditions develop. In the Amazon basin, lower river levels could make transportation more difficult and restrict access to isolated communities, potentially affecting the delivery of essential services.

Other parts of the region could experience the opposite conditions. Mexico and areas along the Pacific coast of South America may face heavier rainfall and a greater risk of flooding. Severe weather could damage infrastructure, including schools and healthcare facilities, while also forcing families to leave their homes in some affected areas.

For children, the consequences of extreme weather can extend well beyond the immediate effects of a disaster. Flooding or other climate-related emergencies can interrupt education, restrict access to medical care, displace families and deepen existing economic difficulties.

The Caribbean is also among the areas of concern. UNICEF has identified Cuba and Haiti as countries where El Niño could compound existing vulnerabilities and increase pressure on communities already facing significant challenges.

Roberto Benes, UNICEF's regional director for Latin America and the Caribbean, has stressed the importance of preparing vulnerable communities ahead of potential climate-related emergencies. Early planning can help protect essential services and reduce the disruption caused by extreme weather events.

UNICEF is calling for greater preparedness, including measures to safeguard access to clean water, food, healthcare and education. The organization has emphasized that strengthening local response systems before a major event occurs can help limit its impact on children and their families.

The agency has appealed for $53.8 million to support its emergency response to El Niño-related risks across Latin America. By June 30, around half of the requested funding had been secured, leaving a significant gap as the region prepares for the potential effects of the climate phenomenon.

With conditions expected to vary sharply from one country to another, authorities and humanitarian organizations are focusing on early warning systems, community preparedness and the protection of essential services. The scale of the potential exposure highlights the importance of ensuring that children remain protected as extreme weather conditions evolve.