UN warns El Nino could be strongest on record as it urges world to prepare

The UN warns that the current El Nino could be unprecedented, with potential sea surface temperature increases of up to 3.8C. Urgent action is needed to mitigate its severe humanitarian impacts, as $50 million has been allocated to support 11 vulnerable countries. Officials emphasize that the humanitarian system alone cannot handle the anticipated consequences, which include extreme weather events and economic shocks globally. The El Nino phenomenon, characterized by warmer Pacific waters, typically occurs every two to seven years and can last up to a year.