The UN World Food Programme 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 f

The UN World Food Programme 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.