Latin American regions face severe climate extremes from drought to flooding

Multiple countries in Latin America are grappling with extreme weather patterns driven by El Niño. In Honduras, a severe drought has affected at least 103 municipalities, prompting a Flash Appeal to mobilize 60 million dollars to support approximately 538,000 people facing food insecurity and agricultural losses.

Bolivia is experiencing significant drought impacts across six departments, including Oruro, La Paz, Chuquisaca, Cochabamba, Santa Cruz, and Potosí. The viceministry of Civil Defense reports that over 78,000 families have been affected and more than 75,000 head of livestock have been lost, with nearly 917,000 more animals currently impacted. Authorities are also preparing for potential flooding between November and February.

In Argentina, heavy river flooding associated with El Niño has forced the evacuation of over 147,000 cattle and buffalo from the provinces of Corrientes, Chaco, Entre Ríos, Santa Fe, and Buenos Aires. The National Service for Agri-Food Health and Quality (Senasa) has implemented emergency measures to facilitate the rapid movement of livestock to safer territories.