According to a recent analysis by the World Food Programme (WFP), over 20 million people in the country are currently facing drought conditions due to the 2023-24 El Niño event. This has resulted in food insecurity for more than 2 million people, leading to a potential crisis or stressed outcomes through September 2024.

The impact of El Niño on food production and security is significant, with some areas worsening to crisis by August due to issues with harvests and food insecurity. The situation is expected to lead to a high number of wasting cases, potentially resulting in a food crisis. There has been a steady increase in wasting admissions, with over 5,000 cases of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) being reported in 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. Additionally, there is a high proxy-prevalence of Global Acute Malnutrition (GAM) in provinces affected by drought.

The effects of El Niño on food production and security are evident, with a significant number of people at risk of experiencing serious health consequences as a result. Action and support will be crucial in addressing the needs of those affected by the current drought conditions and preventing further crises from occurring.