El Niño Could Push 49 Million Into Food Insecurity by 2027, WFP Warns

The World Food Programme (WFP) has issued a stark warning: the intensifying El Niño weather pattern could plunge an additional 49 million people into acute food insecurity by the end of 2027. Affected populations are spread across Africa, the Americas, and Asia, highlighting the global reach of the climate phenomenon.

El Niño is anticipated to reach its peak intensity between September and December 2026. However, its disruptive effects on agricultural harvests are expected to persist throughout 2027. According to the WFP's latest analysis, El Niño is projected to significantly exacerbate food insecurity in 45 countries already grappling with hunger. This would raise the total number of food-insecure individuals from approximately 225 million to a staggering 274 million.

"El Niño is a major threat to the food security of millions of already vulnerable people," stated Carl Skau, the Acting Executive Director of the WFP. The agency's warning underscores the critical link between climate patterns and global food stability, particularly for populations already facing precarious conditions. The situation in Lengkong, Nganjuk, East Java, where tobacco farmers are sharing well water to maintain irrigation during the dry season, illustrates the on-the-ground challenges already being faced due to limited water availability.

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El Nino is a major threat to the food security of millions of already vulnerable people.