New york: Tom Fletcher, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, has issued a warning about the impending impact of extreme weather conditions associated with El Ni±o. Communities across Latin America, Eastern and Southern Africa, Asia, and the Pacific are expected to face significant challenges due to extreme heat, droughts, and floods.

According to Emirates News Agency, Fletcher highlighted the severe consequences of the last El Ni±o event in 2023-24, which left millions in dire need of essential services such as food, water, sanitation, and health support. This year's forecasts suggest even more severe conditions, compounded by existing global issues such as widespread conflict and escalating prices for essential goods. Fletcher emphasized the strain on the humanitarian system due to budget cuts, making the forthcoming response even more critical.

The UN has announced its readiness to deploy up to US$100 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to proactively address the challenges posed by this El Ni±o. Fletcher outlined that part of this response involves implementing lessons learned from past events and innovating strategies to better coordinate humanitarian efforts. With more than $20 million already allocated for anticipatory action in six countries, CERF's Climate Action Account is focusing on fortifying vulnerable communities against the anticipated climate shocks.

Fletcher urged for early and flexible financing to address the risks effectively, emphasizing that such an approach is both more efficient and cost-effective in the long run. He called on the global community to prioritize conflict resolution and support displaced communities, advocating for decisive climate action over short-term decisions that exacerbate the threat of reaching a critical 1.5°C temperature increase.

In his concluding remarks, Fletcher stressed the importance of investing in resilience rather than waiting for disaster, framing it as a critical choice facing global leaders and communities.