The United Nations has received about one-fifth of the funding requested to prepare for food crises expected to worsen as the El Niño climate event develops, according to Rein Paulsen of the Food and Agriculture Organisation.

The World Food Programme and the FAO sought $202 million in June to support nearly nine million people across 22 countries considered at high risk. Around $40 million has been received so far, leaving a substantial gap ahead of the anticipated peak of El Niño between October and December.

Funding gap threatens early preparations

El Niño is a natural warming phenomenon that can amplify the effects of human-induced climate change. The expected event is projected to intensify droughts and flooding, with the most serious consequences likely in countries already facing severe food insecurity.

More than half of the 22 countries identified as being at highest risk are in Africa. The remaining countries are in the Asia-Pacific region, Latin America and the Caribbean.

Paulsen, the FAO’s director of emergencies and resilience, said the limited funding was restricting efforts to prepare for the possible effects before they become more severe.

“We have early warnings. We understand what’s required… (but) funding is a very real challenge that’s limiting our ability to do what we know can mitigate and minimise the impact of either flooding or droughts,” he said.

Paulsen also said the requested amount was modest by international standards and could help reduce the need for a more expensive emergency response if the projected impacts occur.

Concern over Somalia and wider regional effects

Somalia is among the countries facing acute humanitarian pressures. The United Nations said millions of people there are already experiencing high levels of hunger, while acute malnutrition among children is expected to worsen as El Niño affects the country.

In August, the Norwegian Refugee Council reported that six million people in Somalia were facing crisis levels of hunger. It also said more than 700,000 people had been displaced that year, including 500,000 because of drought.

Paulsen warned that Africa would be particularly affected, saying the climate event could deepen crises linked to conflict, displacement and malnutrition in several countries.

Scientific projections cited in the report suggest that the current El Niño event could result in an additional 451,000 deaths worldwide by February as temperatures rise. That figure is a forecast rather than a confirmed outcome.

The source material also describes the event as being on course to become the strongest on record, although that remains a projection. The funding appeal is intended to allow aid agencies to act before drought, flooding and food insecurity create wider humanitarian needs.