Posted on 12 October 2023
A report released by Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) has forecasted that the strong El Niño weather patterns coming into force this year will drive high levels of food insecurity in 2024. The report expresses particular concern for dry conditions in Southern Africa, East Africa and Latin America – predicting high levels of crop failure and livestock death leading to increased levels of food insecurity.
According to ACAP’s El Nino Overview, food security is one of the most “affected dimensions” that comes alongside the weather phenomenon. Malnutrition is also identified as a main anticipated humanitarian impact in this report, with drier conditions impacting water supply and quality.
Walter Baethgen, a scientist at Columbia University’s International Research Institute for Climate and Society, urges the UN and World Food Programme to ” take anticipatory actions", saying “they know in El Niño years some areas will have an increased threat of food insecurity."