The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has warned that a powerful El Niño weather event could push an additional 49 million people into acute hunger by the end of 2027, posing a serious threat to agriculture, food production and livelihoods across some of the world’s most vulnerable regions.
According to the WFP, there is an 81 per cent probability that the current El Niño will become a very strong event, potentially making it the most intense since 1950. The weather phenomenon is expected to disrupt rainfall patterns, trigger prolonged droughts in some regions and increase flooding in others, placing millions of farming households at risk.
Southern Africa is among the regions expected to be hardest hit, with hunger levels projected to rise sharply as reduced rainfall affects crop production and livestock farming. Central America, South America and the Caribbean are also expected to experience significant agricultural losses and worsening food insecurity.
The WFP warned that the combination of extreme weather, ongoing conflicts and declining international humanitarian funding could further limit access to food for vulnerable populations. Although global food supplies remain relatively stable following strong harvests in 2025, climate-related disruptions could drive up food prices and make staple foods less affordable for millions of people.
Agriculture experts say El Niño has historically had a major impact on farming by altering seasonal rainfall, reducing crop yields and increasing the frequency of droughts and floods. Crops such as maize, wheat and sorghum, which are vital to food security in many African countries, could be particularly affected if adverse weather conditions persist.
The WFP has already begun anticipatory response programmes in several at-risk countries, providing early assistance to vulnerable communities before the worst impacts of the weather event occur. The agency is also urging governments and development partners to strengthen early warning systems, invest in climate-resilient agriculture and expand support for farmers.
For Africa, where millions depend on rain-fed agriculture for their livelihoods, the warning underscores the urgent need for climate adaptation measures. Improved irrigation, drought-resistant crop varieties and better weather forecasting are expected to play an increasingly important role in protecting food production and reducing the risk of hunger.
As the El Niño phenomenon intensifies, governments, humanitarian organisations and agricultural stakeholders are being encouraged to act early to safeguard food supplies and strengthen resilience against one of the most significant climate threats facing global agriculture.
