World · Malaysia Bureau
El Niño threatens millions of children across Latin America: UNICEF
The weather phenomenon is disrupting food and water supplies while intensifying drought, wildfires and flooding across the region, putting vulnerable populations at heightened risk.
LSN Malaysia ·
Millions of children in Latin America face mounting hardship as El Niño weather patterns grip the region, with the United Nations Children's Fund warning of severe humanitarian consequences.
The climatic phenomenon is constraining access to adequate food supplies and clean drinking water for vulnerable communities, while simultaneously increasing the frequency and intensity of natural disasters including prolonged droughts, uncontrolled wildfires and severe flooding.
UNICEF's assessment highlights the compounding nature of El Niño's impact, as families already struggling with poverty and limited resources face simultaneous threats to their survival and wellbeing. The disruption to agricultural cycles and water systems places children at particular risk of malnutrition, waterborne disease and displacement.
The organisation is calling for enhanced preparedness measures and humanitarian support to protect affected populations throughout the region as the weather pattern persists.