4:51El Niño Puts 162 Million African Children at Risk
Published by YuToday Staff
0 views · 2 hours ago · 4:51 read · September 2, 2026
More than 162 million children across Eastern and Southern Africa are facing severe risks as the 2026/2027 El Niño intensifies, bringing droughts, extreme heat, and flooding. UNICEF reports these climate shocks could deepen food and water insecurity, disrupt healthcare, and halt education. The warning follows reports from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) highlighting severe drought conditions in Somalia, where 250,000 people are affected and millions lack food and water. The compounding crises, including flooding and protracted conflict, have eroded household resilience, raising the number of food-insecure people in vulnerable countries from 225 million to 274 million.
Key takeaways
- More than 162 million children in Eastern and Southern Africa are at risk from El Niño-driven climate shocks.
- Droughts, extreme heat, and flooding are worsening food and water insecurity, disrupting healthcare and education.
- Southern Africa and Central America are among the hardest-hit regions, with Somalia already facing severe drought conditions.
- Funding gaps and protracted conflict are exacerbating the crisis, leaving millions without essential supplies.
How El Niño is Worsening Food and Water Insecurity
The 2026/2027 El Niño is exacerbating existing vulnerabilities in Eastern and Southern Africa, where millions already face chronic food and water shortages. Droughts triggered by the climate phenomenon are depleting water sources, while extreme heat accelerates crop failures. In Somalia, severe drought has affected 250,000 people, with critical funding gaps leaving millions in dire need of essential supplies. The situation is compounded by flooding in some regions, which destroys infrastructure and displaces communities. UNICEF warns that without urgent intervention, the number of food-insecure people could rise from 225 million to 274 million, pushing millions into deeper poverty. The disruption to agriculture and water systems also threatens long-term food security, as farmers struggle to recover from repeated climate shocks.
Impact on Healthcare and Education Systems
Beyond food and water insecurity, the El Niño-driven climate shocks are straining healthcare and education systems across the region. Hospitals and clinics face shortages of supplies as supply chains falter due to extreme weather, while extreme heat increases the risk of heat-related illnesses, particularly among children. Schools are also affected, with many forced to close due to flooding or extreme heat, disrupting learning for millions of students. UNICEF reports that prolonged disruptions to education could have lasting effects on children’s development and future opportunities. The agency emphasizes that these systems are already fragile, and the added pressure from El Niño could lead to long-term setbacks in public health and literacy rates.
Regional Hotspots: Where the Crisis is Most Severe
Southern Africa and Central America are expected to be among the hardest-hit regions by the 2026/2027 El Niño. In Southern Africa, countries like Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Malawi are bracing for severe droughts that could devastate agriculture and water supplies. Meanwhile, Central America faces a similar threat, with flooding and landslides displacing communities and destroying crops. In Somalia, the drought has already left 250,000 people affected, with millions more at risk as aid funding dwindles. The compounding effects of conflict and climate shocks have eroded household resilience, making recovery efforts even more challenging. UN agencies are calling for targeted support to these regions to mitigate the worst impacts of the crisis.
Humanitarian Response and Funding Gaps
The humanitarian response to the El Niño crisis is hindered by critical funding gaps, leaving millions without access to food, water, and medical care. OCHA reports that protracted conflict and dwindling aid have severely undermined the resilience of Somali households, while other regions face similar challenges. UNICEF is urging international donors to prioritize funding for emergency relief, including food assistance, clean water, and healthcare services. The agency also emphasizes the need for long-term resilience-building measures, such as climate-smart agriculture and improved water infrastructure, to help communities withstand future climate shocks. Without adequate funding, the humanitarian response risks falling short, leaving millions of children and families in increasingly dire conditions.
Long-Term Risks: Climate Change and Future Generations
The 2026/2027 El Niño is a stark reminder of the growing threat posed by climate change to vulnerable regions. As global temperatures rise, the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events are expected to increase, putting millions of children at risk of malnutrition, disease, and displacement. UNICEF warns that the compounding effects of climate change and El Niño could have devastating long-term consequences for future generations, particularly in regions already struggling with poverty and conflict. The agency calls for urgent action to address the root causes of climate change, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions and investing in sustainable development. Without these measures, the cycle of vulnerability will only deepen, leaving millions of children trapped in poverty.
What happens next
As the 2026/2027 El Niño continues to intensify, the humanitarian crisis in Africa is expected to worsen. Governments, international donors, and aid organizations must prioritize funding and resources to address the immediate needs of affected communities. Long-term solutions, such as investing in climate-resilient infrastructure and sustainable agriculture, are critical to preventing future crises. The international community must also address the root causes of climate change to reduce the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. Without urgent action, millions of children and families will remain trapped in a cycle of poverty and vulnerability.
People also ask
What is El Niño and how does it affect Africa?
El Niño is a climate phenomenon characterized by the warming of ocean surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific, which disrupts global weather patterns. In Africa, it often leads to droughts in Southern and Eastern regions, extreme heat, and flooding in other areas. These conditions worsen food and water insecurity, disrupt healthcare and education, and displace communities.
How many children are at risk from El Niño in Africa?
UNICEF reports that more than 162 million children across Eastern and Southern Africa are facing severe risks from the 2026/2027 El Niño. These risks include malnutrition, disease, disrupted education, and displacement.
Which regions in Africa are most affected by El Niño?
Southern Africa and Central America are expected to be among the hardest-hit regions by the 2026/2027 El Niño. In Africa, countries like Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, and Somalia are particularly vulnerable to droughts and flooding.
What is being done to address the El Niño crisis in Africa?
UN agencies and humanitarian organizations are calling for urgent funding to provide emergency relief, including food, water, and medical care. They are also advocating for long-term resilience-building measures, such as climate-smart agriculture and improved water infrastructure, to help communities withstand future climate shocks.