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The highly anticipated El Nino began hitting California and other parts of the western United States this week. The heavy snow and rain have been a both a blessing and a curse.
The extreme drought that is hitting other parts of the world has the United Nations planning for humanitarian efforts across the globe.
“The impacts, especially on food security, may last as long as two years,” Stephen O’Brien, under-secretary-general for the coordination of humanitarian affairs, said in a release.
According to O’Brien, El Nino is bringing about torrential rains, flooding and landslides. Concern has shifted to drought that is on the rise in Fiji, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and Papa New Guinea. These regions are more susceptible food insecurity due to the drought because they already struggle to meet food demands in non-drought years.
Ethiopia, however, is seeing the worst drought conditions in 30 years because of El Nino. According to the United Nations, 10.2 million people are in need of emergency food assistance. While the Ethiopian government has pledged $290 million to help its citizens, the need greatly outnumbers the resources.
