The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has issued an urgent warning that 25.8 million children and adolescents across Latin America and the Caribbean face escalating risks from drought and flooding driven by an exceptionally intense El Niño phenomenon.
Millions of Children Face Extreme Climate Threats
With the weather pattern expected to peak between October and December, the agency reports that the convergence of natural climate variability and human-induced climate change is deepening regional vulnerabilities and widening existing socioeconomic inequalities.
Agricultural Disruptions Threaten Food Security
The consequences of El Niño are manifesting differently across the region, with significant threats to food security in Central America. In Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua, drought conditions are projected to disrupt agricultural production.
UNICEF warns that this disruption will increase the risk of malnutrition among children who already struggle with limited access to potable water and sufficient nutrition.
Flooding and Wildfires Strain Regional Infrastructure
While drought affects the Central American corridor, other parts of the continent face distinct climate-related emergencies. Increased precipitation along the Pacific coast of Mexico and South America is expected to cause severe flooding, threatening the structural integrity of schools and healthcare facilities.
In the Amazon basin, falling river levels are isolating remote communities, while countries including Bolivia, Colombia, Chile, and Venezuela are reporting a heightened risk of wildfires.
Escalating Crises in the Caribbean
In the Caribbean, the agency notes that El Niño is poised to exacerbate already protracted humanitarian crises in Cuba and Haiti.
Roberto Benes, UNICEF’s regional director for Latin America and the Caribbean, emphasized the potential for rapid, large-scale devastation.
Severe Funding Shortfalls Hamper Emergency Relief
"A single storm of great magnitude can cause widespread destruction and disrupt the lives of hundreds of thousands of children and their families," Benes stated. He urged governments and international partners to prioritize the protection of essential services and strengthen emergency preparedness.
Despite the identified risks, humanitarian efforts remain underfunded. UNICEF requested $53.8 million to address emergency needs associated with the current El Niño cycle. As of June 30, the organization reported that it had secured only half of the required funding, leaving a significant gap in the resources available to provide the necessary support for affected families.
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