Severe weather conditions associated with the El Niño, left more than 10 million people without food in Ethiopia in December 2015.
The 2015 to 2016 El Niño phenomena, which is one of the strongest on record, has subsided. However La Niña, it’s counterpart, could strike soon.
A new report from the UN Children’s Fund, UNICEF, has revealed that this could further exacerbate a severe humanitarian crisis that is affecting millions of people in the most vulnerable communities in countries worldwide.
El Niño is the term used to describe the warming that occurs every three to seven years. It raises sea surface temperatures and impacts weather systems around the globe, often resulting in a reversal of their usual weather pattern.
La Niña is the opposite weather phenomena—it lowers sea surface temperature, bringing more catastrophes, with heavy rains and flooding in areas affected by droughts.
UNICEF says, while El Niño has devastated harvests, livestock and thus livelihoods, its impact on children is worsening due to hunger, malnutrition and disease. Making matters worse, it says there is a strong chance La Niña could strike later this year.
The organisation says there is a need to urgently prepare for the eventuality of La Niña, including disaster risk reduction strategies and adaptation to climate change.
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