El Niño: When the Weather Goes Haywire
Every few years, the climate phenomenon known as El Niño occurs in the Pacific. This year, it is reaching record levels and is being referred to as a “Super El Niño.” The phenomenon affects weather patterns and the living conditions of millions of people who are already living in poverty and are particularly hard hit by the effects of climate change. Helvetas helps families and communities prepare early for the impacts of this Super El Niño.
During an El Niño year, the trade winds that blow from east to west weaken over the Pacific Ocean. As a result, the waters of the Pacific Ocean along the west coast of South America are much warmer than usual. And that, in turn, influences where it rains — or doesn’t — around the world. In Latin America, where it’s supposed to be dry around the months before and after Christmas, an El Niño year suddenly brings heavy rains and flooding. In Asia, Australia and southern Africa, where it’s actually supposed to rain, there’s suddenly heat, drought and wildfires.
Water temperatures in the Pacific are currently exceptionally high. As a result, scientists are predicting a particularly strong El Niño event for late 2026 and the first half of 2027 — perhaps the strongest since modern measurements began 75 years ago.
Since the unusually warm water is spreading over a large area, El Niño is affecting global weather even more strongly than usual. That is why many experts and media outlets are referring to it as a “Super El Niño.”
In Spanish, El Niño means “the Christ Child” or “the little boy,” because Peruvian fishermen often noticed the unusually warm ocean currents around Christmas time. This climate phenomenon is natural and typically occurs every two to seven years toward the end of the year in the Pacific Ocean; the most recent occurrence was in late 2023/early 2024.
Take Action Before the Worst Happens
Climate change is exacerbating the effects of El Niño, which threatens the livelihoods of millions of people. Because food could become even scarcer. Because they lack access to clean water. Because the risk of disease is rising.
El Niño is closely monitored by weather services and scientists who regularly update their forecasts. This makes it possible to accurately assess the potential impacts of this climate phenomenon. And thanks to reliable forecasts and early warning systems, affected countries and communities can take action before the crisis fully unfolds.
Weather forecasts and early warning systems help keep local authorities, farmers, herders and the general public informed. This enables households, with support from governments and aid organizations, to take effective measures early on. For example, families can secure their water supply in a timely manner, set aside seed and feed reserves, better protect their crops and access financial assistance in an emergency.
El Niño is not caused by climate change, but climate change exacerbates the effects of El Niño. As average temperatures rise due to climate change, the droughts, heavy rains and heat waves caused by El Niño pose an additional threat to people who are already living in difficult conditions.
How Helvetas Helps
The effects of El Niño are expected to hit several of Helvetas’ partner countries particularly hard. That is why we are helping vulnerable families and communities — currently in Ethiopia, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras and Pakistan — to prepare for these extreme weather events early on. Taking early action strengthens people’s resilience and can significantly reduce damage and hardship.
When drought threatens, water becomes the most important resource. Together with Helvetas, communities repair water systems, protect their springs and create additional water storage facilities. Families collect rainwater and treat it to ensure there is enough clean water available.
Smallholder farmers are adjusting their planting and harvesting times to changing climatic conditions. They receive drought-resistant seeds so that their fields can still yield crops even with less rain and avoid crop failures. Feed supplies and veterinary support help keep livestock healthy through dry spells and preserve vital livelihoods.
In addition, Helvetas strengthens local early-warning and crisis response systems to ensure that aid arrives in a timely and targeted manner.
These activities build on existing partnerships with local organizations, authorities and community structures, and empower people to independently cope with future climate extremes.
