By Zoila Palma: A severe drought across Central America is killing livestock, destroying crops and raising concerns about food security as the region experiences the harsh effects of a powerful El Niño weather pattern.
Communities in the Central American Dry Corridor, spanning parts of Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Costa Rica, are facing extreme heat and water shortages, with more than 10 million people living in the affected area, AFP reports.
In southern Honduras, residents say they are experiencing drought conditions unlike anything they have seen before. Lidia Ochoa, from San Lorenzo, said the situation has become so difficult that some families are struggling to afford food.
Meanwhile, farmers’ fields have been left barren, with livestock carcasses scattered across parched land. In El Salvador, temperatures have reached as high as 42°C, placing additional pressure on already limited water supplies.
The drought is also devastating agricultural production, with farmers reporting significant losses in corn and other crops.
Indigenous leader Elvira Pasa from northern Guatemala warned that corn harvests in her community are expected to be lost, while residents are already paying substantially higher prices for basic food. The worsening conditions are particularly concerning in Guatemala, where child malnutrition is already a serious issue.
Water shortages are also affecting livelihoods.
In El Matazano, El Salvador, a community water tank that once supplied about 50 families and supported a tilapia-farming project is now being reserved for more urgent needs. Residents say the loss of fish production has affected both their diets and household incomes. Across the region, governments have declared emergencies, while affected communities continue to rely heavily on assistance from non-governmental organizations.
The drought has taken a severe toll on livestock producers, with around 100 cows reportedly dying in San Lorenzo in recent months.
Farmers are being forced to sell cattle before they die from hunger and dehydration, while surviving animals are producing far less milk.
The United Nations World Food Programme estimates that up to 16 million people across Latin America could face food shortages because of El Niño, with the weather phenomenon expected to peak toward the end of 2026 and its effects potentially continuing into 2027.
The post International News: Drought in neighboring countries kill livestock, threatens food security appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Zoila Palma: A severe drought across Central America is killing livestock, destroying crops and raising concerns about food security as the region experiences the harsh effects of a powerful El Niño weather pattern. Communities in the Central American Dry Corridor, spanning parts of Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Costa Rica, are facing extreme
The post International News: Drought in neighboring countries kill livestock, threatens food security appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.