UN calls for action against El Niño impacts

The United Nations has urged immediate action to protect vulnerable populations from the effects of the current El Niño climate event, which the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) says could be more intense than anything recorded in the past four decades. The WMO and the UN are working together to address the potential humanitarian and economic consequences of the phenomenon.

El Niño described as a global threat

UN Humanitarian Affairs Chief Tom Fletcher called the El Niño event a "colossal phenomenon" that will have major impacts on several regions, including Latin America, parts of Africa, Asia, and the Pacific. He warned that the event could lead to significant humanitarian challenges, economic disruptions, and increased conflicts or migrations.

Funding mobilized for affected regions

Over 50 million dollars has already been gathered through the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) to support 11 countries most at risk. Fletcher emphasized that the humanitarian system cannot handle the scale of the threat alone and called for additional funding from governments and financial institutions before damage occurs.

Specific needs outlined for different regions

Fletcher detailed the specific needs of various regions, including funds and supplies for Somalia, Ethiopia, and Kenya before heavy rains arrive. Southern Africa requires seeds and livestock for farming, while Central America needs aid to protect livelihoods. Asia and the Pacific must prepare for droughts, floods, and cyclones.

El Niño’s intensity exceeds past records

Celeste Saulo, the WMO Secretary-General, warned that the current El Niño could be of "unprecedented intensity," with sea surface temperatures in the Pacific expected to rise by 3.8 °C between November and January. This would surpass the previous record of 3 °C, which had major global effects.

El Niño and climate change combine

The WMO noted that El Niño is not only a natural climate cycle but also interacts with human-caused climate change, increasing the frequency and severity of extreme weather events. However, the impact of El Niño varies by region and season, and can be influenced by other climate factors such as conditions in the Indian and Atlantic oceans.