A strong El Niño felt worldwide will push additional people into food insecurity next year, experts warn, as too much rain in some areas, while not enough in others, will disrupt agricultural production and livelihoods.
El Niño, which officially began in July, is caused by warmer sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean and can alter global weather patterns. It occurs on average every two to seven years and typically lasts about a year. In some areas the phenomenon causes rain and in others, drought.
From East Africa to Central America to the Indo Pacific, humanitarian organizations are preparing to respond to increased food insecurity, particularly in rural communities. The Famine Early Warning Systems Network, known as FEWS NET, estimates that as many as 110 million people will need food assistance into early next year in the 30 countries in Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East that it monitors.
About the author
Teresa Welshtmawelsh
Teresa Welsh is a Senior Reporter at Devex. She has reported from more than 10 countries and is currently based in Washington, D.C. Her coverage focuses on Latin America; U.S. foreign assistance policy; fragile states; food systems and nutrition; and refugees and migration. Prior to joining Devex, Teresa worked at McClatchy's Washington Bureau and covered foreign affairs for U.S. News and World Report. She was a reporter in Colombia, where she previously lived teaching English. Teresa earned bachelor of arts degrees in journalism and Latin American studies from the University of Wisconsin.
