El Niño 2026‑2027 could push 49 million into acute hunger

El Niño 2026‑2027 acute food insecurity World Food Programme International Labour Organization 49 million

The World Meteorological Organization warns that the 2026‑2027 El Niño will intensify from August through October, with sea‑surface temperatures possibly reaching near +4 °C – the warmest since at least 1982 and potentially the strongest event since 1950. Forecasts give an 81 % chance of a very strong El Niño.

The United Nations World Food Programme estimates that the phenomenon could add almost 49 million people to the pool of those facing acute food insecurity, raising the global total to about 274 million (a 22 % increase). Central America may see an 83 % rise and Southern Africa a nearly 75 % rise in acute hunger. The ILO warns that Caribbean workers in agriculture, fisheries and tourism face heightened job and livelihood risks.

Regional impacts are already evident: Brazil expects wetter conditions in the south and severe drought in the north; Colombia faces heightened fire and water‑scarcity risks; Romania reports storms and hail; Argentina and other South‑American nations anticipate flood and heat threats. Funding cuts from U.S. and European donors in 2025 are hampering monitoring of the developing crisis.

Entities

2027 · Carl Skau · Celeste Saulo · Central America · El Niño · El Niño · El Niño · Fabio Bertranou · Grant Foster · Instituto Nacional de Meteorologia (INMET) · International Labour Organization · James Hansen

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 2 SOURCES] Jeffrey Shaman of Columbia University said El Niño’s pattern changes spread globally “like sound waves.” sapo.pt
[● 4 SOURCES] The 2026‑2027 El Niño episode may become one of the strongest recorded since at least 1950. sapo.pt
[○ 1 SOURCE] The Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research confirmed that the recent warming acceleration is statistically significant and not random.
[● 3 SOURCES] If current projections hold, 2027 could become the hottest year on record globally.
[● 2 SOURCES] A strong El Niño raises average global temperatures and alters precipitation and wind patterns, increasing drought risk in some regions and flood risk in others.
[○ 1 SOURCE] Seasonal forecasts that incorporate El Niño are used to give early warnings on heatwaves, droughts, floods and food‑supply disruptions.
[● 2 SOURCES] Sea‑surface temperature anomaly in the Niño 3.4 region reached about +2 °C in late July and could exceed +3 °C later in the season. sapo.pt
[○ 1 SOURCE] Global warming has accelerated since 2015, with the decade‑long warming rate roughly doubling.
[● 21 SOURCES] There is an 81 % chance of a very strong El Niño event. mix929.com · myportal.gr · srnnews.com · www.theguardian.com · www.globaldiasporanews.com · +15 more
[● 13 SOURCES] Southern Africa could see a nearly 75 % increase in the number of people facing acute food insecurity. mix929.com · myportal.gr · srnnews.com · www.theguardian.com · blink102.com.br · +7 more
[● 14 SOURCES] Central America could see an 83 % increase in the number of people facing acute food insecurity. mix929.com · myportal.gr · srnnews.com · www.theguardian.com · blink102.com.br · +8 more
[● 15 SOURCES] Funding cuts from U.S. and European donors in 2025 are hampering monitoring of the developing crisis. mix929.com · srnnews.com · www.aktual24.ro · blink102.com.br · observador.pt · +9 more