El Niño Threatens Millions of Children in Eastern and Southern Africa as UNICEF Urges Early Action

What the report says

UNICEF has warned that El Niño could deepen hardship for more than 162 million children across Eastern and Southern Africa, with risks to food security, health services, clean water, education and child protection. The warning, reported by Nile Post, comes as the agency says climate impacts such as drought, extreme heat and flooding are expected to intensify across the region, which includes 13 countries such as Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

According to UNICEF, the children at risk make up more than two-thirds of the child population in the region. The organization says already strained systems could come under further pressure, especially where communities are facing existing hunger, water shortages, disease risks and disruptions to schooling. It highlighted particularly serious concerns in Somalia, Ethiopia and South Sudan, where flooding, severe food insecurity, drought and heat could worsen displacement, malnutrition and outbreaks of disease.

UNICEF is urging governments, humanitarian groups and development partners to act before conditions deteriorate further. Its appeal includes funding for nutrition support, pre-positioned emergency supplies, stronger health and water systems, and measures to keep children safe if schools are disrupted. The agency is also seeking US$173 million as part of its 2026 humanitarian requirements for anticipatory and life-saving assistance.

More broadly, UNICEF argues that early response is cheaper and more effective than waiting until a crisis peaks. As general background, El Niño is a recurring climate pattern that can shift weather conditions and raise the likelihood of unusual rainfall, drought or heat in different regions.