El Nino Triggers Food Crisis in Papua New Guinea
El Nino-driven drought and frost have destroyed harvests in Papua New Guinea, threatening food security for an estimated 3 million people across the country.
Atlas Newsdesk ·
Papua New Guinea faces a severe food security crisis as El Nino-induced drought and frost destroy critical agricultural harvests across the nation. Oxfam PNG reports that up to 3 million people are currently affected, with the Highlands region bearing the brunt of the climate pattern's impact.
The mechanism driving this crisis involves a shift in rainfall patterns that has suppressed moisture levels for nearly a year. Reduced cloud cover allows rapid nocturnal heat loss, causing temperatures to drop below freezing in high-altitude areas. This combination of prolonged drought and frost has decimated staple crops, including potatoes and vegetables, which serve as both primary food sources and essential income for rural households.
The consequence is an immediate threat of malnutrition as local food supplies are projected to last only two to three months. Beyond food shortages, the drying of rivers and creeks has restricted access to clean water, forcing schools to reduce operating hours. The government has directed provincial authorities to initiate emergency preparedness measures as Weather Service anticipates these climate conditions will persist for several months.