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El Niño Threatens 162 Million Children in Eastern Africa

Published by YuToday Staff

0 views · 6 hours ago · 3:54 read · September 2, 2026

More than 162 million children—over two-thirds of the region’s youth—are facing heightened risks as El Niño strengthens across Eastern and Southern Africa. The climate phenomenon is driving extreme weather, including droughts, floods, and extreme heat, which threaten children’s access to food, water, healthcare, and education. UNICEF has warned that without urgent intervention, the crisis could push already vulnerable systems to breaking point.

Key takeaways

Over 162 million children in Eastern and Southern Africa are at risk due to El Niño’s intensifying climate impacts.
Droughts, floods, and extreme heat threaten children’s access to food, water, healthcare, and education.
Thirteen countries, including Somalia, Ethiopia, and South Sudan, are facing severe humanitarian challenges.
Urgent action is needed to prevent a deeper crisis, with calls for increased funding and coordinated responses.

What is El Niño and Why Is It a Threat?

El Niño is a climate pattern that disrupts normal weather conditions, often bringing prolonged droughts, extreme heat, and intense rainfall to different regions. In Eastern and Southern Africa, these shifts are exacerbating existing vulnerabilities, particularly for children. Droughts reduce agricultural output, leading to food shortages and malnutrition, while floods contaminate water supplies and displace families. The combination of these factors strains healthcare systems, disrupts schooling, and increases the risk of disease outbreaks. According to assessments by UNICEF, the 2026/2027 El Niño is predicted to be particularly severe, with widespread impacts on children’s health, safety, and development.

Which Countries Are Most Affected?

UNICEF’s assessments highlight 13 countries where children are at the highest risk: Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. In Somalia, flooding could displace up to 2.5 million people, disrupting access to food, healthcare, and education. Ethiopia faces severe food insecurity, with tens of thousands of children at risk of malnutrition. South Sudan is grappling with drought, extreme heat, and localized flooding, which threaten to deepen food shortages and increase disease risks. These countries already face significant humanitarian challenges, and El Niño is expected to compound these crises.

How Are Children’s Lives at Risk?

Children in the region are facing multiple threats due to El Niño. Food insecurity is a major concern, as droughts and floods destroy crops and livestock, leaving families without reliable sources of nutrition. Water scarcity and contamination from flooding increase the risk of waterborne diseases like cholera, while extreme heat exacerbates health issues, particularly for young children. Disrupted schooling due to damaged infrastructure or displacement further limits children’s long-term prospects. Additionally, displacement from flooding or conflict over resources can expose children to violence, trafficking, and exploitation. These overlapping risks create a humanitarian emergency that demands immediate attention.

What Is Being Done to Address the Crisis?

UNICEF has called for urgent action to protect children from the worsening impacts of El Niño. The organization is working to scale up emergency response efforts, including providing food aid, clean water, and healthcare services to affected communities. Efforts are also focused on strengthening early warning systems to anticipate and mitigate the effects of extreme weather. However, the scale of the crisis requires coordinated action from governments, international organizations, and donors. Without sufficient funding and resources, the response may fall short of addressing the needs of millions of children at risk. Advocacy for climate-resilient policies is also critical to reduce long-term vulnerabilities.

How Can the Public Help?

Supporting humanitarian organizations like UNICEF, Save the Children, and the Red Cross can provide critical aid to children and families affected by El Niño. Donations to these organizations help fund emergency relief efforts, including food distribution, clean water initiatives, and healthcare services. Raising awareness about the crisis can also pressure governments and international bodies to prioritize the needs of vulnerable communities. Additionally, advocating for climate action and policies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions can help mitigate the long-term impacts of climate change, which exacerbates El Niño’s effects. Every contribution, whether financial or through advocacy, makes a difference in protecting children’s futures.

What happens next

As El Niño’s impacts intensify, the humanitarian community is calling for immediate action to protect children and prevent a deeper crisis. Governments and donors must prioritize funding for emergency relief and long-term climate resilience programs. Communities should also prepare for potential displacement and resource shortages by strengthening early warning systems and local support networks. The coming months will be critical in determining whether the region can mitigate the worst effects of this climate shock.