IRC warns El Niño could trigger floods, drought and disease outbreaks across East Africa and Asia

Millions of people across East Africa and Asia could face severe flooding, disease outbreaks, heatwaves and drought in the coming months as an intensifying El Niño weather pattern gathers strength, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) has warned. The humanitarian organisation says communities in Somalia, Kenya, Uganda, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan are among those most at risk, urging governments and international donors to invest in early action before disasters strike.

By Mahmud Mohammed-Nurudeen