As the spectre of a severe Super El Niño looms, CARE International’s regional director for East and Southern Africa, Walter Mwasaa, has expressed grave concerns about the disproportionate impact this climatic phenomenon will have on women in the region. With ongoing cuts to foreign aid compounding the crisis, Mwasaa argues that urgent attention is required to address these emerging threats to women’s health and economic stability.
The Impending Climate Crisis
The Super El Niño, a natural climate event characterised by elevated sea surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean, is forecasted to unleash extreme weather across the globe. This year’s iteration is expected to be particularly intense, exacerbated by ongoing climate change. Mwasaa highlighted that countries in Northern Africa, such as Tanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Somalia, are likely to experience increased rainfall, while southern nations like Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Madagascar face the dire prospects of severe drought.
“The coming Super El Niño is not just a weather event; it is a women’s health crisis,” Mwasaa remarked, noting that women are often the first to feel the adverse effects of such disasters. They are tasked with caring for families and communities, making them particularly vulnerable during times of environmental upheaval.
The Human Cost of Climate Disasters
Research supports Mwasaa’s assertion that women will bear the brunt of the impacts from climate-induced catastrophes. For instance, studies indicate that child marriage rates in Bangladesh surge by 40% in the wake of climate disasters. In Somaliland, drought has forced girls to undertake long walks for water, jeopardising their education. Moreover, financial constraints post-disaster often lead to prioritising boys’ education over girls’, further entrenching gender inequalities.
Mwasaa emphasised the physical toll on women during these crises: “Mothers typically work the hardest to provide food for their families, which often means they eat last and receive less rest.” He recounted harrowing accounts, such as a woman who had to give birth in a tree during floods in Mozambique, underscoring the increasing frequency of such extreme events.
Aid Cuts Compound the Crisis
The looming threat of Super El Niño comes at a time when CARE International is grappling with significant cuts to its programming across East and Southern Africa. The organisation’s budget is projected to plunge from approximately $250 million in 2024 to just $140 million by 2027. This drastic reduction has severely curtailed operations, particularly in Ethiopia, where funding has decreased from $130 million to a mere $15 million in the same timeframe.
In Somalia, the closure of around 50 CARE-supported health and nutrition centres since January 2026 has exacerbated the situation, leaving two million children acutely malnourished. Mwasaa noted that many pregnant women now arrive at the remaining facilities in dire condition after enduring long journeys without sustenance.
A Shift Towards Sustainable Solutions
As traditional funding sources dwindle, CARE is seeking to engage private sector partners to foster self-sufficiency within communities. Mwasaa described this shift as a potential pathway for development, though he cautioned that the practicalities of such partnerships can be complex. “It is important for communities to move away from dependency on aid, but finding suitable products from wealthier nations that are affordable for African consumers can be challenging,” he explained.
Despite these hurdles, Mwasaa expressed optimism regarding pan-African cooperation, noting that countries are increasingly pledging mutual support for crises like Ebola and taking food security more seriously. “This ownership and collaboration among African nations will be crucial in advancing development in the years to come,” he concluded.
Why it Matters
The warning from CARE International underscores an urgent need for a gender-sensitive approach to climate adaptation strategies. As Super El Niño threatens to exacerbate existing vulnerabilities, particularly among women, addressing these challenges is imperative. The intertwining of climate change, economic instability, and gender inequality demands immediate action from policymakers and international organisations alike. Failure to do so risks perpetuating cycles of poverty and undermining the health and livelihoods of millions in the region.
