Central American Dry Corridor faces severe drought and food insecurity

Severe drought conditions driven by the El Niño weather pattern are causing widespread crop failures and livestock deaths across the Central American Dry Corridor. This region, which includes parts of Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica, is facing extreme food insecurity. The UN World Food Program estimates that 16 million people across Latin America could face food shortages due to this phenomenon.

In response to increasing rainfall variability and prolonged droughts, international organizations and research centers are implementing adaptation strategies. These include the development and distribution of drought-resistant seeds, community seed banks, and participatory research with farmers. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has reported progress in pilot programs in Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras aimed at reducing climate-related risks for producers.