The December 2024 update on El Niño notes that the 2023/2024 episode is one of the most severe recorded, causing extreme weather events worldwide, particularly droughts and floods. Over 60 million individuals have been affected, especially in vulnerable regions. The situation has led to severe food insecurity, increased disease outbreaks, and economic instability, underscoring the imperative for swift humanitarian responses.
The December 2024 El Niño-La Niña Response Monthly Update highlights that the 2023/2024 El Niño event has emerged as one of the five most intense occurrences recorded, with temperature anomalies reaching 2°C above average in the Pacific Ocean. This phenomenon has been linked to an increase in extreme weather events from September 2023 to May 2024, particularly severe droughts affecting regions such as Central America, Colombia, Papua New Guinea, and Southern Africa. Contrarily, other areas like Brazil, Afghanistan, and Pakistan have encountered significant flooding, illustrating the widespread and multifaceted impact of this climatic occurrence.
The ramifications of El Niño have been particularly dire for vulnerable populations, with over 60 million individuals experiencing its adverse effects amid a backdrop of climate change, conflict, and economic instability. Southern Africa has reported the most severe conditions, with droughts devastating the livelihoods of over 30 million residents, resulting in substantial food insecurity. In Eastern Africa, flooding has led to the displacement of communities, affecting approximately 5 million people, while the Philippines faced drought that impacted more than 4 million individuals. Similarly, Central America reported 1.3 million affected persons, alongside over 2 million suffering from catastrophic floods in Brazil.
Beyond the immediate physical impacts, El Niño has exacerbated health crises and increased protection risks. The incidence of diseases such as cholera and malaria has surged in flood-stricken areas. Furthermore, safety concerns have heightened, especially for women and children who are disproportionately impacted by displacement, poverty, and gender-based violence. Additionally, economic disturbances have compounded the challenges faced by those in afflicted regions, destabilizing livelihoods and further fracturing social cohesion.
The El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is a significant climatic phenomenon characterized by periodic warming or cooling of sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean, profoundly influencing weather patterns across the globe. The current El Niño event commenced in 2023 and has been classified as one of the most severe, resulting in extreme weather events, agricultural losses, and socio-economic disruption across various regions, particularly those already vulnerable due to pre-existing challenges such as climate change, conflict, and economic strife. Understanding these dynamics is vital for assessing the adaptation needs and responses of affected communities.
The ongoing 2023/2024 El Niño episode serves as a stark reminder of the interconnectedness of climatic events and their far-reaching implications on human lives. With millions affected by droughts and floods, the vulnerabilities also highlight the necessity for targeted humanitarian assistance and robust strategies to mitigate future impacts. Recovery efforts must consider the socio-economic dimensions and prioritize the most affected populations to foster resilience against forthcoming climatic challenges.
Original Source: reliefweb.int
