The intensifying “super” El Niño climate phenomenon is disproportionately threatening women’s health and economic stability in East and Southern Africa, according to Walter Mwasaa, regional director for CARE International. As weather patterns shift, the convergence of climate-induced disasters and significant reductions in foreign aid is creating a crisis for household nutrition, education, and maternal healthcare across 12 countries.
The Gendered Impact of Climate Extremes
Climate change is not a gender-neutral issue. Mr. Mwasaa identifies the coming super El Niño as a critical women’s health problem, noting that women in both rural and urban communities bear the primary burden of household management and caregiving during disasters. Research supports this, with studies showing a 40 percent increase in child marriage in Bangladesh following climate-induced disasters. In Somaliland, droughts force girls to spend hours fetching water, often at the expense of their education.
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When household savings are depleted by climate disasters, families often prioritize the education of sons over daughters. Additionally, during food shortages, women—particularly those who are pregnant—frequently reduce their own caloric intake to prioritize other family members.
Infrastructure and Health Crisis
The physical hazards of extreme weather are compounded by the erosion of public health infrastructure. Mr. Mwasaa highlighted the case of a woman forced to give birth in a tree during floods in Mozambique. As extreme weather events become more frequent, such incidents are projected to become common as health centers face closures. In Somalia, approximately 50 CARE-supported health and nutrition centers have ceased operations since January 2026, leaving a population where two million children suffer from acute malnutrition without adequate care.
Foreign Aid Cuts and Economic Shifts
The humanitarian response is being hampered by substantial budget reductions. CARE International reports that its budget for East and Southern Africa is projected to decline from roughly $250m in 2024 to $140m by 2027. Ethiopia, which previously managed programming worth $130m, is expected to see that figure drop to $15m by 2027.
These funding gaps are forcing organizations to pivot toward private sector partnerships. While Mr. Mwasaa views the move away from aid dependency as a long-term goal, the transition presents practical challenges. “Development partners and Western governments are telling us that we now need to find ways of doing business with them, but oftentimes it is hard to find products from rich countries that people in African countries need or can afford,” he stated.
Emerging Trends in Pan-African Cooperation
Despite the funding shortfall, there is a visible shift toward regional self-reliance. Mr. Mwasaa observes that African nations are increasingly collaborating on food security and public health responses, such as collective pledges during the Ebola crisis. This growing sense of regional ownership is viewed as a necessary evolution for sustainable development in the face of persistent climate risks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does El Niño affect women more than men?
According to CARE International, women typically manage household food and water supplies. During droughts or floods, they perform more labor-intensive tasks with less rest and often prioritize the nutritional needs of children and spouses over their own.
How are aid cuts affecting health facilities in Africa?
Budget reductions have forced the closure of dozens of health and nutrition centers in regions like Somalia. This leaves pregnant women and malnourished children without access to medical care, even as they arrive at facilities dehydrated and exhausted from traveling long distances.
What is the economic impact of the super El Niño?
The phenomenon poses a significant threat to 500 million smallholder farmers globally. Projections suggest a global agricultural output loss of $342bn, which directly threatens food security and income stability across the African continent.
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