India, Oct. 23 -- Oxfam said on Oct. 22, 2026 that global funding for humanitarian preparation and response to El Niño is “critically insufficient,” as the weather phenomenon drives wildfires, crop failures, and growing severe food and water insecurity affecting millions of people.
Oxfam said El Niño’s intensity is likely to peak from this month until April next year, and that scientists report it could be the strongest on record.
Funding levels and comparisons
Oxfam said total global funding for El Niño humanitarian preparation and response is currently $450 million, with much of the remaining funding dependent on appeals and less than 20% pledged so far.
Oxfam compared current funding to the 2015-2016 El Niño, stating that more than 6...