UN forecasters warn that a rapidly developing El Niño weather system could push about 50 million more people into acute hunger before the end of next year, on top of hundreds of millions already at risk.
Key facts
- About 50 million people are likely to be pushed into acute hunger before the end of next year, according to forecasting.
- The warning is linked to a rapidly developing El Niño weather system.
- 45 countries are currently experiencing severe food insecurity.
- Hundreds of millions of people already face dangerous levels of hunger.
- Existing pressures include years of drought in parts of Africa and food price pressure from the war in Iran.
About 50 million people are likely to be pushed into acute hunger before the end of next year by a rapidly developing El Niño weather system, according to forecasting reported by the Guardian. UN forecasters warn of worsening conditions in 45 countries that are currently experiencing severe food insecurity.
The projected increase would come on top of the hundreds of millions of people already facing dangerous levels of hunger, according to the reporting. These existing pressures have built up over an extended period rather than emerging suddenly.
Among the factors already driving high levels of hunger are years of drought in parts of Africa, which have strained food supplies across affected regions. The forecasters point to these longstanding conditions as part of the backdrop against which the El Niño system is developing.
Pressure on food prices linked to the war in Iran is also cited as a contributing factor to the current levels of food insecurity, according to the Guardian’s account of the forecasting.
The combination of a developing El Niño system and these pre-existing stresses forms the basis of the UN warning that conditions could deteriorate further across dozens of countries before the end of next year.
Why it matters
Acute hunger on this scale threatens the lives and health of millions of people, particularly in countries already struggling with food insecurity. The warning highlights how climate patterns like El Niño can compound existing crises driven by drought and conflict, raising the stakes for humanitarian response and food supply planning.
Frequently asked questions
How many people could be affected?
According to forecasting reported by the Guardian, about 50 million people are likely to be pushed into acute hunger before the end of next year, in addition to hundreds of millions already facing dangerous levels of hunger.
How many countries are currently at risk?
UN forecasters warn of worsening conditions in 45 countries that are currently experiencing severe food insecurity.
What factors are contributing to the current hunger crisis?
The reporting cites years of drought in parts of Africa and pressure on food prices from the war in Iran as existing drivers, with a rapidly developing El Niño weather system expected to worsen conditions.