There will be another El Nino this 2026/27 season. El Nino is a recurring weather pattern that changes the normal predictable seasonal rain to potential extreme and unprecedented flood or drought to the world. It exacerbates food insecurity for millions of people on every continent.

The predictions are looking more and more like this year will have an impact that the world has not seen in about 150 years. It is being called it a “super El Nino,” and some are even calling it “Monster El Nino” or “Godzilla El Nino.”

The Recent El Nino

This is a recurring weather pattern that happens frequently, every other year to seven years. The ocean temperature of the southern part of Eastern Pacific warms to redirect weather patterns around the world. Some stand out more than others, but each time it hurts everyone across the world, especially in the poorer areas. The 2024/2025 shows how El Nino exacerbates food insecurity for millions of people. It causes record heat, droughts, flooding, wildfires, among other natural disasters globally.

The UN food agency explained that El Nino exacerbates food insecurity in Africa. The 2024/25 El Nino caused the worst hunger crisis in southern Africa in decades.

The media director for the nonprofit Climate Central explained that modern technologies make predictions to know generally what is going to happen. This means the UN, local governments, and non-profits can prepare for the inevitability of food insecurity is paramount for millions of people. Climate scientists are now certain with a high probability that this year will be extreme.

Historical Comparison

The1877/78 El Nino was the last time it was as extreme as climate models. It caused famine from droughts in one area and famine from floods in others to the extent that potentially 50 million people died from El Nino and aggravated by the political conflicts and colonialism/imperialism.

One of the worst El Nino food insecurities was in the 1877/78 year cycle that impacted populations in all areas of the world. About 50 million was roughly 3% to 4% of the world’s population. In terms of today, that would be equivalent to 250 million people.

The Joint Anticipatory Action Appeal

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations and the World Food Programme (WFP) have teamed up to create the Joint Anticipatory Action Appeal. They are seeking $202 million to prepare nearly nine million people for how El Nino exacerbates food insecurity across 22 high-risk priority countries.

So far, the program is already prepared to help 1.2 million people facing food insecurity. With additional funding coming, they will be able to help more than 7.5 million people. The WFP is calculating that for every dollar they spend on preparation is a $7 savings on post-disaster work.

These are countries/regions that will have unique extreme weather disturbances from El Nino:

•       Peru and Ecuador will have extreme rainstorms and landslides.
•       India and Southeast Asia and island nations will have extreme droughts, agriculture failures and wildfires.
•       Central America will have droughts and agriculture failures.
•       Africa, depending on location, will have erratic and unpredictable rainfall or drought conditions.

Funding Recipients

Funding from the Joint Anticipatory Action Appeal will assist in anticipatory actions focused on local situations. The money is allocated for cash assistance, the supply and delivery of drought-tolerant and/or flood-resistant seeds, livestock protection, water collecting and storage systems, flood protection infrastructure, agricultural advisories and the broadcasting of early warning information.

•       Southern Africa will receive $54 million for an estimated 2.3 million people.
•       Eastern Africa will receive $78 million for 3.9 million people.
•       Western Africa will get $11 million for 500,000 million people.
•       Asia and the Pacific will obtain $25.7 million for 1 million people.
•       Latin America and the Caribbean will receive $33 million for 1.1 million people.

Looking Ahead

The El Nino is a normal weather pattern that has been predicted as extreme this year. The predicted flooding in one region and drought in another region requires specific and unique needs for different regions of the world. The international community is hard at work to prevent a complex international food crisis.

– Jonathan Snowiss

Jonathan is based in Rancho Cucamonga, CA, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash