Climate Action Network Africa (CAN Africa) calls on African governments, regional institutions
and development partners to strengthen preparedness and response measures to address the
potential impacts of El Niño and related climate extremes on vulnerable communities across the
continent. The call follows a new warning from the World Meteorological Organization on 21
October that the current El Niño could reach unprecedented strength, increasing the threat of
extreme weather and humanitarian emergencies.
El Niño is expected to increase the risk of heavy rainfall and flooding in parts of East Africa, while
raising concerns about drought and food insecurity in Southern Africa. These climate conditions
can threaten food security, water availability, public health and livelihoods, particularly among
smallholder farmers, pastoralist communities and other vulnerable populations.
CAN Africa urges governments to prioritise the protection of lives and livelihoods by
strengthening early warning systems, mobilising emergency resources and ensuring that adequate
resources are available to support affected communities. Particular attention should be given to
women, children, young people, and persons with disabilities and low-income households, who
often face disproportionate challenges during climate emergencies.
CAN Africa further calls on African governments to demand that wealthy, high-polluting countries
fulfil their obligations to provide climate finance, including for adaptation, disaster risk reduction,
resilient agriculture and water security. National and local authorities should work closely with
civil society organisations, community leaders and humanitarian agencies to ensure that assistance
reaches those most in need.
The Network also calls on international development partners and climate finance providers to
scale up accessible and predictable financial support for African countries, with a strong emphasis
on public, grant-based finance for adaptation, alongside additional humanitarian assistance for
emergency response. Such support is essential to strengthen community resilience without adding
to the debt burdens of climate-vulnerable countries.
CAN Africa emphasises that addressing the impacts of El Niño requires coordinated action at
national, regional and continental levels? African institutions should strengthen cooperation in
sharing climate information, disaster preparedness, food security and cross-border response
mechanisms to ensure a timely and effective response to climate-related risks.
While immediate humanitarian assistance remains critical, CAN Africa underscores the need for
long-term investments that address underlying vulnerabilities and enable communities to
withstand future climate shocks? Climate resilience must be integrated into national development
plans, public budgets and social protection programmes.
CAN Africa reaffirms its commitment to advancing climate justice and calls on all relevant
stakeholders to protect lives and livelihoods, strengthen community resilience and safeguard
Africa’s development gains.
ENDS
Media enquires
Mamadou Lamin Thaime
mamadou@can-africa.org
admin@can-africa.org