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U.N. releases $50M as extreme El Niño threatens 50M with hunger

Humanitarian chief warns of a two-week window to prepare as the U.N. mobilizes emergency responders.

Celeste Saulo, secretary-general of the World Meteorological Organization, and Tom Fletcher, U.N. undersecretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator, speak to re
Celeste Saulo, secretary-general of the World Meteorological Organization, and Tom Fletcher, U.N. undersecretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator, speak to reporters in Geneva on October 21, 2026. (U.N. Web TV)

The United Nations released more than $50 million in emergency funding and put its disaster response network on full alert as an exceptionally powerful El Niño threatens to worsen hunger, displacement and conflict across vulnerable regions.

U.N. humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher said Wednesday that 50 million people could face increased hunger and warned that the next two weeks are critical for getting emergency assistance to vulnerable communities before severe weather strikes.

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