El Niño 2026–2027 could affect more than 347 million children in 100 countries

Brief retelling from RIA II

The 2026–2027 El Niño event could be one of the strongest on record, affecting more than 347 million children in 100 countries.

El Niño will increase the risk of extreme floods and droughts, which could lead to displacement, malnutrition, water shortages and disease outbreaks.

The largest number of children at risk of exposure to extreme conditions live in the Asia-Pacific region (190 million).

GENEVA, October 6 – RIA Novosti. The effects of a strong El Niño event - such as extreme flooding or drought - will affect more than 347 million children in 100 countries and lead to a wave of displacement, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has warned.

The UN recalled that the El Niño phenomenon in 2026–2027 is expected to be one of the most powerful on record.

“More than 347 million children in nearly 100 countries and territories will face unusually wet or dry conditions between October and December 2026 due to El Niño, increasing the risk of extreme floods and droughts with potentially devastating consequences,” UNICEF said.

This phenomenon could lead to forced displacement, malnutrition, water shortages and disease outbreaks, the UN noted.

"Globally, 1.1 billion children - almost half of the world's children - are already exposed to at least three concurrent climate hazards such as drought, extreme heat or floods, and El Niño is expected to make these shocks even more severe," the organization said in a statement.

For example, between 2016 and 2023, weather disasters displaced more than 20,000 children every day. El Niño could lead to a further increase in forced displacement.

According to UNICEF, the largest number of children at risk of experiencing these conditions live in the Asia-Pacific region (190 million). Children in East and Southern Africa (41 million), Latin America and the Caribbean (41 million), Europe and Central Asia (22 million), the Middle East and North Africa (20 million), and West and Central Africa (20 million) are also at risk.