Kathmandu. Millions of children in Latin America are at high risk of severe drought and floods stemming from the El Niño ocean region’s increased heat, the United Nations Children’s Agency (UNICEF) said on Wednesday.
El Niño is a naturally occurring climate anomaly that raises the surface temperature in the equatorial Pacific Ocean, causing global changes in wind and rainfall patterns.
This year’s El Niño is estimated to be the strongest on record. UNICEF has warned that about 25.8 million Latin American children, or one in every seven, are facing increasing risks from drought and floods, which have already caused devastation in South and Central America.
Roberto Beneš, UNICEF Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, said in a statement that its effects threaten to push even more children into deep insecurity and exacerbate existing inequalities, with the impact varying across the region.
Drought affects Central American nations of Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua, increasing the risk of malnutrition for children who are already facing difficulties accessing food and safe water, UNICEF said.
Parts of Bolivia, Colombia, Chile, and Venezuela face an increased risk of wildfires, while riverine communities may be affected as river levels drop in the Amazon region.
According to UNICEF, increased rainfall in Mexico and the Pacific coast of South America will pose a high risk of floods and damage to schools and health infrastructure.
The agency also warned of even more dire consequences for countries including Cuba and Haiti. The effects of El Niño have also been seen in this year’s intense Pacific hurricane season.
Beneš emphasized that seasonal storms could cause widespread devastation and disrupt the lives of millions of children.
UNICEF had requested $53.8 million to address the El Niño emergency in Latin America, but only half the amount had been raised by June 30.
Like other United Nations agencies, UNICEF has faced significant funding cuts since former US President Donald Trump returned to power last year.