The UN World Food Program said a strong El Nifio could push up food prices in
affected countries by reducing crop yields and tightening local supplies.
Climate shocks are also likely to weaken employment and incomes, lowering
household purchasing power; the combined effect of higher food prices and
falling incomes will increase acute food insecurity. WFP analysis shows that
under current El Nifio conditions, by end-2027 about 49 million more people
across 45 countries and territories already facing severe food insecurity would
experience acute food insecurity, raising the total from roughly 225 million to
274 million, an increase of about 22%. Central America and southern Africa would
be hardest hit, with significant impacts also expected in East Africa, South
Asia and Southeast Asia.
