The Dutch Red Cross raised the alarm that extreme weather associated with the approaching El Nino phenomenon could threaten food security and cause water shortages around the world, reports Anadolu.

“Extreme weather always hits the people who have the least the most. … They will soon be hit three times harder by droughts, floods or extreme heat. This only increases the risk of food shortages and diseases,” said Harm Goossens, director of Dutch Red Cross, in a written statement.

Goossens noted that the drought could lead to crop failure and food price increases, while also causing severe food insecurity in Sudan, South Sudan and the Middle East.

“By acting earlier, we prevent a lot of suffering and ultimately, aid is cheaper and more effective,” he added.

Goossens stressed the need for act in time to prevent extreme weather from turning into a major humanitarian disaster. “The biggest benefit is in the preparation,” Goossens added.

The World Meteorological Organization recently warned that there is an 80 percent probability of El Nino appearing during the June-August period, while the chance of it continuing at least through November is around or above 90 percent.

Source: prizrenpost