The World Food Programme (WFP) has warned that the developing El Niño climate pattern is set to push approximately 6 million people into hunger across West and Central Africa.
The agency’s assessment highlights the immediate humanitarian and economic risks posed by the rapid intensification of the weather phenomenon, which the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) confirmed is expected to strengthen significantly between July and September.
The projection underscores the vulnerability of agricultural systems in the region to extreme weather variability.
As ocean temperatures rise, the resulting shifts in rainfall patterns threaten crop yields and livestock, exacerbating food insecurity in areas already grappling with economic instability and logistical challenges.
The WFP’s warning serves as a critical signal for international aid organizations and governments to accelerate preparedness measures.
This development aligns with broader macroeconomic concerns regarding climate-driven inflation.