The December 2024 update reports that the 2023/2024 El Niño episode is one of the strongest ever recorded, with significant impacts including widespread droughts in Southern Africa and severe flooding in Brazil and other regions. The event has affected over 60 million people, amplifying existing vulnerabilities and causing severe food insecurity and health crises. Immediate humanitarian action is urgently needed to address these challenges.
The December 2024 update on the 2023/2024 El Niño event highlights that it ranks among the five strongest occurrences of this climate phenomenon, with Pacific Ocean temperature variations of 2°C above average. According to World Weather Attribution, El Niño was implicated in numerous extreme weather incidents from September 2023 to May 2024, notably causing severe droughts across Central America, Colombia, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste, and parts of Southern Africa. The situation remains critical, especially in Namibia, Zimbabwe, and other Southern African nations where the devastating impacts of drought continue to affect local populations.
Conversely, El Niño also resulted in significant flooding in diverse regions including Brazil, Dubai, Oman, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Eastern Africa. The repercussions of this climate event have been extensive, affecting more than 60 million individuals globally, with the most vulnerable communities suffering disproportionately due to increased climate change effects, conflict, and economic instability. Southern Africa reported over 30 million individuals severely impacted by drought, which has led to loss of livelihoods and increased food insecurity. Meanwhile, flooding in Eastern Africa affected 5 million people and created widespread displacement.
Additionally, the adverse impacts from El Niño extend beyond food shortages, leading to increased disease outbreaks such as cholera and malaria in flood-stricken regions. Vulnerability levels have escalated, particularly for women and children, who faced heightened risks related to displacement, poverty, and gender-based violence. The economic disturbances have further complicated recovery efforts, adding pressure on already fragile social systems.
In Central America, approximately 1.3 million people have been impacted, and Brazil grapples with the aftermath of flooding affecting over 2 million residents. It is evident that El Niño’s effects are multifaceted, yielding dire implications for the affected populations and requiring urgent humanitarian responses to mitigate the ongoing crises.
El Niño refers to the warm phase of the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO), a climatic phenomenon characterized by the periodic warming of surface waters in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean. This event can significantly influence global weather patterns, leading to various extreme weather occurrences such as droughts, floods, and temperature variations. The current episode, occurring between 2023 and 2024, is noted for its severity and far-reaching consequences, prompting concern among humanitarian organizations and climate experts. The need for increased monitoring and response measures has become paramount as these climatic events intensify due to climate change and other social factors.
The December 2024 report on El Niño’s impact reveals that this climatic event has led to significant humanitarian challenges globally, affecting over 60 million individuals, particularly in vulnerable regions. The dual threats of drought and flooding have exacerbated food insecurity, health risks, and economic instability, necessitating immediate and coordinated action to support affected populations. Addressing the multifaceted impacts of El Niño will require substantial investment in disaster preparedness, response strategies, and sustainable development interventions.
Original Source: reliefweb.int
