© WMO/G. Louis The new El Niño cycle may be more destructive than previous ones. UN warns of El Niño return and prepares emergency aid for vulnerable countries Climate and Environment
Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher warned of the return of the El Niño climate phenomenon, which could soon lead to large-scale humanitarian consequences in several regions of the planet.
Extreme heat, droughts and floods are again threatening millions of people in Latin America, eastern and southern Africa, and Asia and the Pacific, Fletcher said. He recalled that the previous El Niño cycle in 2023-2024 left tens of millions of people in dire need, causing shortages of food, drinking water, medical care and livelihoods. even more destructive. The situation is complicated by ongoing armed conflicts, an increase in the number of internally displaced persons, as well as high prices for fuel, fertilizers and food. The international humanitarian system is also under additional pressure, facing severe funding cuts.
In response to the growing risks, the UN is ready to commit up to $100 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund to prepare ahead of time for the possible impacts of this climate phenomenon. As Fletcher noted, the organization has already learned from previous crises and is actively involved in planning and coordinating humanitarian efforts.
Preparing for possible emergencies is based on updated climate forecasts. More than $20 million has already been allocated for preventive measures in six countries. In addition, through a special climate mechanism – the Climate Action Account – investments are being made to support the most vulnerable communities to increase their resilience to future climate shocks. in the central and eastern parts of the equatorial zone of the Pacific Ocean. It affects weather patterns around the world, causing droughts in some regions and heavy rainfall or flooding in others. Typically, the El Niño cycle repeats every few years and can last anywhere from a few months to a year or more. The impact of El Niño is becoming more severe as global climate change and increasingly vulnerable populations arise.
“The choice is clear: we can wait until disaster strikes, or invest in resilience now,” Fletcher said, calling on the global community to act proactively to reduce the humanitarian impact of the climate crisis.