El Niño triggers widespread prevention measures across South America and beyond

Governments in Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Colombia are coordinating inter‑ministerial actions to mitigate the expected impacts of a strong El Niño. In Buenos Aires the provincial cabinet reviewed a disaster‑risk plan, while Santa Fe’s governor Maximiliano Pullaro outlined infrastructure upgrades and a 10 billion‑peso emergency fund. Curitiba announced a R$ 327 million reserve for climate emergencies, and Chile’s agriculture ministry activated permanent monitoring and a risk‑management protocol for the central‑south region.

The United Nations has earmarked up to US$ 100 million for pre‑emptive measures in vulnerable countries, and the UN’s Central Emergency Response Fund already disbursed over US$ 20 million in six nations. International bodies warn that the phenomenon could become one of the strongest on record, with elevated risks of floods, droughts and heatwaves affecting energy generation, agriculture and public health.

Regional agencies also issued specific alerts: El Salvador’s environment ministry expects reduced rainfall and higher temperatures, while Peru’s education ministry is distributing school domes, motor‑pumps and training staff to ensure continuity of schooling. Similar preparedness steps are underway in Paraguay, Uruguay and other nations anticipating severe weather through late 2026 and into 2027.