The Urgent Need for Action in the Face of El Niño-Induced Food Crisis and Malnutrition Samantha Johnson, April 29, 2024 The ongoing drought conditions in the country have resulted in a significant food crisis, with over 20 million people currently facing shortages caused by the 2023-24 El Niño phenomenon. Out of this population, more than 2 million individuals are experiencing food insecurity and malnutrition. According to recent research by WFP on Drought Hotspots, some regions may even escalate to Crisis (IPC Phase 3) or Stressed (IPC Phase 2) outcomes by August due to challenges with harvests and increasing food insecurity. This puts millions of people at risk of severe malnutrition and starvation, with admissions for Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) projected to increase significantly. The impact of El Niño-induced food insecurity is already being felt across the affected provinces, with over 5,000 cases of SAM reported in 2024. This represents a significant rise from the previous year and highlights the urgent need for immediate action and interventions to address the heightened risk of malnutrition and food insecurity in these areas. There is also a concerning prevalence of Global Acute Malnutrition (GAM) among those affected by drought, which is an indicator of long-term malnutrition that can have serious health consequences. As such, it is imperative that governments, aid organizations, and other stakeholders take urgent action to address this crisis and prevent it from worsening. Immediate action is necessary to ensure that vulnerable populations are provided with adequate food supplies and support services to mitigate the impact of drought on their health and wellbeing. This includes providing emergency food assistance, improving agricultural practices and water management techniques to enhance resilience against future droughts, as well as investing in education programs to promote healthy eating habits among children. Health