El Niño Affects Over 60 Million People

The 2015-2016 El Niño event, characterized by a warming of the central to eastern tropical Pacific Ocean, is affecting more than 60 million people worldwide. Regions particularly impacted include eastern and southern Africa, the Horn of Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Asia-Pacific area.

This weather phenomenon is causing a range of severe health problems by triggering extreme weather conditions such as extensive droughts, floods, heavy rains, and rising temperatures. These have led to outbreaks of diseases, widespread malnutrition, heat stress, and respiratory illnesses.

While the adverse weather impacts of El Niño are forecast to lessen by mid-2016, the associated health consequences are expected to persist throughout the year and beyond. The World Health Organization (WHO) and its partners are actively supporting nearly 30 countries in their response to these health challenges.

The overall humanitarian response for El Niño requires $3.6 billion, with the health sector alone needing close to $460 million. WHO is seeking $51 million to provide critical healthcare services. The organization cautions that a potential La Niña event later in 2016 could further exacerbate extreme conditions and health crises.