The United Nations has urged countries to prepare for an exceptionally powerful El Niño, warning of severe global weather disruptions. Rising temperatures, floods and droughts could threaten millions of vulnerable people worldwide. UN officials say governments must act quickly to limit the humanitarian impact before conditions worsen.
Celeste Saulo, head of the World Meteorological Organisation, warned that this event could exceed monitoring levels recorded over four decades. According to Saulo, extreme weather events are already occurring and could multiply as El Niño strengthens. She joined UN aid chief Tom Fletcher in demanding urgent, coordinated preventive action.
Read more: El Nino expected to peak at record levels in December
The weather phenomenon could peak in December, but its effects may continue into 2027 and beyond. Fletcher identified Latin America, eastern and southern Africa, Asia and the Pacific as regions facing serious risks. He also highlighted conflicts, displacement, rising food and fuel prices, and cuts to humanitarian assistance.
These overlapping crises could push tens of millions of people into greater humanitarian need, Fletcher warned. He estimated that 50 million people could face increased hunger. The next two weeks, he stressed, offer a critical opportunity for governments and aid organisations to prepare vulnerable communities.
Fletcher urged Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya to secure supplies before heavy rains arrive. Meanwhile, southern Africa needs seeds and livestock support, while Central America requires help protecting livelihoods. Across Asia and the Pacific, countries must prepare for possible droughts, floods and cyclones.
Read more: El Nino expected to strengthen further before reaching
The WMO’s latest seasonal outlook forecasts tropical Pacific sea surface temperatures could reach 3.8 degrees Celsius above average between November and January. That would exceed the previous three-month record of 2.6 degrees, recorded during 2015–2016. Saulo warned that these conditions could significantly disrupt weather patterns worldwide.
El Niño occurs when surface waters warm across the central and eastern equatorial Pacific, changing global wind and rainfall patterns. The phenomenon typically occurs every two to seven years and lasts nine to twelve months. Fletcher said he had released $50 million for 11 vulnerable countries, including Chad, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Somalia and South Sudan. He urged governments and financial institutions to provide further funding before the crisis deepens.