The 2023/2024 El Niño episode is one of the five strongest on record, leading to severe droughts and widespread flooding that have affected over 60 million people globally. The phenomenon has caused significant humanitarian crises, particularly in Southern Africa and Eastern Africa, exacerbating food insecurity and public health issues, particularly among vulnerable communities.
The 2023/2024 El Niño phenomenon, characterized by substantial warming in the Pacific Ocean, stands as one of the five most intense episodes recorded, with temperature anomalies reaching 2°C above the norm. The World Weather Attribution reports that from September 2023 to May 2024, El Niño significantly influenced extreme weather conditions globally. This led to severe droughts across regions in Central America, Colombia, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste, the Philippines, and Southern Africa, affecting intra-regional dynamics through lasting impacts.
Notably, over 60 million individuals in vulnerable communities have experienced the compounded adversities brought on by climate change, conflict, and economic turmoil. Southern Africa emerged as the hardest-hit area, where approximately 30 million people faced devastating drought conditions, resulting in extensive loss of livelihoods and extreme food insecurity. In Eastern Africa, flooding displaced several communities and obliterated livelihoods, impacting approximately 5 million persons, while drought conditions afflicted over 4 million in the Philippines. Furthermore, Central America reported approximately 1.3 million individuals affected, and over 2 million people in Brazil experienced catastrophic flooding.
El Niño’s repercussions extended beyond mere food insecurity, as overlapping crises exacerbated existing hardships within these communities. Regions severely impacted by floods witnessed a surge in disease outbreaks, including cholera and malaria. Additionally, the crisis heightened protection risks, predominantly for women and children, who endured significant displacement, poverty, and increased vulnerability to gender-based violence. The widespread economic disruptions further destabilized regional livelihoods and social structures, underscoring the far-reaching implications of this climatic event.
The El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is a recurring climatic pattern that significantly influences global weather patterns and conditions. The current episode occurs against a backdrop of escalating climate change, which compounds the fragility of socio-economic systems worldwide. The strong El Niño event of 2023/2024 has led to unprecedented temperature anomalies and extreme weather, affecting millions and altering environmental balances across various continents, particularly in the Global South where vulnerability is exacerbated due to existing conflicts and economic instability.
In summary, the ongoing El Niño event presents severe challenges to numerous populations worldwide, particularly in Southern and Eastern Africa, where the effects of drought and flooding culminate in widespread humanitarian crises. With over 60 million people affected, the implications extend beyond environmental damage, influencing public health, food security, and socio-economic stability. Continuous monitoring and responsive strategies are essential to mitigate the impacts and support the resilience of affected communities.
Original Source: reliefweb.int
