El Niño and La Niño climatic conditions, have raised concerns about Early Warning systems used in developing countries.
More than 60 United Nations Member States and numerous stakeholders took part in an event to discuss weather systems. Discussions highlighted the critical role of science to guide preparedness and response, as well as the importance of developing climate services and fostering innovation in forecasting technologies.
General Assembly President Dennis Francis, said
“El Niño has been a source of extreme weather patterns globally. These have the effect of undoing decades of developmental progress, compounding the especially already dire situations of Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States, all of which are particularly vulnerable to external shocks.”
A dedicated UN debate on El Niño has called for an integrated approach to address the social, economic, environmental and humanitarian challenges posed by El Niño. It took place against a backdrop of devastating flooding which has claimed dozens of lives in East Africa, searing heat in Asia and drought in parts of South America and southern Africa.
Around 40 to 50 million people are currently affected in 16 countries, said Reena Ghelani, the new Climate Crisis Coordinator for the El Niño/La Niña Response.
“These are the countries that are facing the climate crisis,” said Ms. Ghelani, adding that adaptation efforts are key at a time when the UN Secretary-General released $54 million to “get ahead” of the situation and will soon announce more funding.
But, she said much more is needed. A response plan cost $3 billion in the past.
Notable impacts include an exceptionally heavy rainy season in East Africa. Flooding in Kenya has affected 200,000 people and killed more than 100 people. More than 150 people were killed on 25 April in flash floods in the United Republic of Tanzania. Somalia and Ethiopia are also affected.
The drought in Southern Africa has triggered crop shortfalls and rising commodity prices.
El Niño is also contributing to intense heat in Asia.
There have also been drier than usual conditions observed across much of Mexico, Central America, and northern South America. Additionally, the Panama Canal experienced restricted traffic due to low water levels, while the Amazon suffered a severe drought, marked by record-low water levels in the Rio Negro, Brazil.
Celeste Saulo, Secretary-General, of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said “human-induced climate change is intensifying impacts of El Niño/La Niña episodes and increasing climate risks. “
“El Niño and La Niña events can be predicted well in advance. This allows society to prepare and thus reduce economic losses and minimize risks to lives and livelihoods. Studies show El Niño Early Warning Systems can provide a two-fold to nine-fold return on investment. Such predictions are a core part of the Early Warnings for All initiative which seeks to expand early warning systems to everyone in the world,” said Saulo.
Picture: via social media