El Salvador — humanitarian situation

El Salvador faces mounting climate-driven food insecurity as an intensifying El Niño event compounds pre-existing vulnerabilities in the Central American Dry Corridor. The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources forecasts meteorological and hydrological drought conditions nationwide, prompting the Directorate General of Civil Protection to declare a nationwide RED ALERT for drought on 26 August (Cruz Roja Salvadoreña, IFRC). The government has requested international assistance. Regional forecasts indicate 82-88% probability that El Niño conditions established between May and July will strengthen to over 90% likelihood by year-end, with the Central American Dry Corridor expected to experience hotter and drier conditions through 2027 OCHA. WFP analysis warns that climate shocks could significantly worsen food insecurity across vulnerable countries through 2027, with early response efforts already scaling up in eight countries. Food insecurity has deteriorated significantly in recent years due to rising food prices, climate impacts, and other threats disproportionately affecting rural agricultural households FAO. The most recent IPC analysis for the Trinational Río Lempa Border Region, which includes portions of El Salvador within the Dry Corridor, indicates 113,000 people (16% of the analyzed population) currently face Crisis or Emergency levels of acute food insecurity. During the lean season coinciding with El Niño's peak, this figure could rise to approximately 157,000 people facing severe conditions IPC. While most families maintain relatively diverse diets, nearly one in three households employs crisis or emergency coping strategies to meet food needs, revealing profound vulnerability FAO. Beyond drought impacts, the country confronts multiple concurrent health challenges. Regional dengue transmission has declined substantially, with 2026 cumulative incidence 60% lower than 2025 and 66% below the five-year average as of epidemiological week 29 PAHO. However, PAHO issued an epidemiological alert on 7 August regarding increased measles cases across the Americas in 2026, urging Member States to strengthen surveillance and vaccination activities. UNHCR continues supporting refugees and asylum seekers in El Salvador, with recent activities including a World Refugee Day commemoration and the country's first refugee and asylum-seeker entrepreneurs fair showcasing their contributions to host communities UNHCR. WFP is expanding climate adaptation innovation programs to El Salvador alongside Dominican Republic and Peru to strengthen community resilience WFP.