El Niño’s Devastating Impact: 20 Million People Face Drought and Food Insecurity in the Country

The WFP Drought Hotspot Analysis has revealed that over 20 million people in the country are currently facing drought conditions as a result of the 2023-24 El Niño event. With more than 2 million experiencing food insecurity, this has led to an expected Crisis (IPC Phase 3) or Stressed (IPC Phase 2) outcomes through September 2024. Some areas have even worsened to Crisis by August due to issues with harvests and food insecurity.

The impact of El Niño-induced food insecurity is expected to result in a high number of wasting cases, potentially leading to a food crisis. There has been a steady increase in wasting admissions, with over 5,000 cases of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) being reported in 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. There is also a high proxy-prevalence of Global Acute Malnutrition (GAM) in provinces affected by drought.

Overall, the effects of El Niño on food production and food security are evident, with a significant number of people at risk of experiencing serious health consequences as a result. Action and support will be crucial in addressing the needs of those affected by the current drought conditions.