Asia-Pacific Region: Overview of El Niño Responses (as of April 2016)

KEY MESSAGES

The current El Niño started in Asia and the Pacific region from as early as March 2015. It reached strong levels in some countries in July 2015. In many countries the effects of the phenomenon remained strong throughout the first quarter of 2016. However, the humanitarian impacts have now become critical in many countries and humanitarian response have been ramping up.

The ongoing humanitarian impact of extreme weather events caused by El Niño will continue in many cases until the third quarter of 2016. Due to variable cycles of weather and planting, partners are looking at a window of response of at least six months, understanding that longer-term engagement, in particular on resilience and early recovery is needed in some countries.

In many countries in Asia-Pacific, extended water shortages and prolonged lean seasons due to drought, coupled with poor nutrition outcomes and widespread poverty, warrant immediate interventions in several sectors including in WASH, Food Security (incl. agriculture), Nutrition, Health and Early Recovery.

Historical records suggest that the likelihood of the current El Niño being followed by La Niña is the same as a return to neutral conditions, during the second half of 2016. Because La Niña could exacerbate the negative effects in countries that have experienced El Niño conditions, effective preparedness for potential widespread floods and related events is required.
For effective programming, the humanitarian community needs to understand existing survival coping mechanisms against El Niño and La Niña of vulnerable communities, in particular farmers and herders which are most exposed as a result of impacted livelihoods; children, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers, and the elderly whose health is likely to deteriorate as a result of reduced meals and/or poor nutrition.

El Niño is increasing vulnerabilities in some countries with limited preparedness and response capacity. More needs to be done by Governments, humanitarian and development partners alike to mitigate future risks. At the regional level humanitarian partners are coordinating to ensure effective strategic planning, including on specific issues such as population movements and gender-specific needs which may be influenced by El Niño and La Niña.