WFP warns El Niño could push millions more into hunger by 2027

Thursday 06 August 2026 - 19:15

By: Azzat Manal

WFP warns El Niño could push millions more into hunger by 2027

The World Food Programme (WFP) has warned that the intensifying El Niño climate pattern could significantly worsen global food insecurity, potentially pushing nearly 49 million additional people into acute hunger by the end of 2027. If current projections hold, the total number of people facing severe food insecurity could reach approximately 274 million across 45 vulnerable countries.

The UN agency cautions that the impact of El Niño is expected to extend well beyond its peak, as disrupted weather patterns continue to affect agricultural production, food supplies, and household incomes. The warning comes at a time when many regions are already struggling with armed conflicts, economic instability, and the long-term effects of climate change.

According to the WFP, the strongest phase of the current El Niño event is expected between September and December 2026. However, its consequences on farming and food production may continue throughout 2027, increasing pressure on countries that rely heavily on rain-fed agriculture.

Extreme weather associated with El Niño—including prolonged droughts, heavy rainfall, flooding, and heatwaves—can reduce crop yields, damage infrastructure, disrupt food distribution, and drive up food prices. These factors often leave vulnerable communities with fewer resources to cope with worsening conditions.

Africa is expected to be among the regions most severely affected. East and Southern Africa could see more than 18 million additional people experiencing acute food insecurity, while West and Central Africa also face a heightened risk due to climate-related disruptions and existing economic challenges. Other regions, including Latin America, the Caribbean, Asia, and the Pacific, are also expected to experience increased humanitarian needs.

To reduce the impact of the crisis, the WFP is expanding early action initiatives in cooperation with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), and other international partners. These measures include emergency cash assistance, climate risk financing, agricultural support, insurance mechanisms, and programs designed to strengthen the resilience of vulnerable communities before conditions deteriorate further.

The agency has already launched preventive interventions in several countries, including South Sudan, Chad, Mauritania, Uganda, Guatemala, and El Salvador. These efforts aim to protect livelihoods, secure food supplies, and help communities better withstand climate-related shocks before they develop into full-scale humanitarian emergencies.

The WFP emphasizes that investing in prevention is both more effective and less costly than responding after disasters occur. Early interventions can save lives, reduce economic losses, and lessen the need for large-scale emergency relief operations. As El Niño continues to develop, the agency urges governments and international partners to act swiftly to strengthen food systems and protect the populations most at risk from a worsening global hunger crisis.