Panama City (AFP) – Millions of minors are at risk due to the El Niño phenomenon in Latin America, where its effects threaten to increase inequalities and access to basic services, Unicef warned this Wednesday.
First modification: 09/30/2026 - 12:58
El Niño is on track to become the most intense on record and amplifies the effects of climate change caused by human activity. Its most severe impact is forecast between next October and December.
A report from the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) estimates that 25.8 million Latin American children "face increasing risks" from drought or excessive rains associated with El Niño.
The effects are increasingly visible and severe and "threaten to push" minors into "situations of greater vulnerability" and deepen inequalities, said Roberto Benes, regional director of Unicef for Latin America and the Caribbean, quoted in a statement.
In Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua, Unicef warns, drought will affect agricultural production, causing food insecurity and risk of malnutrition in children, who already face difficulties accessing food and water.
The risk of fires also increases in areas of Bolivia, Colombia, Chile and Venezuela, while in the Amazon basin riverine communities may be isolated due to reduced river levels.
In the Caribbean, El Niño could "aggravate the prolonged crises in Cuba and Haiti," UNICEF emphasizes.
Meanwhile, on the Pacific coast of Mexico and South America, increased rainfall will cause a greater risk of flooding and damage to schools and health infrastructure, he adds.
According to Benes, the hurricane season is also being influenced by the phenomenon that occurs periodically. A single "major storm can cause widespread destruction" and "alter the lives" of hundreds of thousands of minors, he said.
The official called to strengthen preparation, protect essential services and guarantee that children receive the support they need.
Unicef assured that it requested 53.8 million dollars to respond to emergencies due to El Niño in Latin America, but as of June 30 it has only raised half.
© 2026 AFP
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