El Niño: 17 counties flagged as high risk Climate 17 min ago

The agencies also warn that climate change is raising the likelihood and severity of El Niño-related hazards, including flash floods, outbreaks of water-borne disease, soil erosion, crop destruction and livestock losses — which may later be followed by prolonged dry spells, extreme heat and an increased risk of cardiovascular, respiratory and maternal and child health problems.

Brenda Lazarus, food security and early warning economist at FAO, said El Niño affects African countries differently depending on location and season, with parts of eastern Africa still recovering from the prolonged drought experienced earlier this year.8 million people across East Africa are at risk from El Niño-related flooding, landslides and worsening food insecurity, according to Dr Pierre H.