The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) warned that the current El Niño episode could be the most powerful observed since monitoring began four decades ago. ^[1] According to the International Organization for Migration, more than 22 million people in Yemen need humanitarian assistance to survive and 5.2 million have been displaced from their homes. ^[2] According to UNICEF, 10.8 million minors needed humanitarian assistance at the beginning of the year and six out of ten health centers were functioning partially or had ceased operations. ^[3] Andrea Lobato Romero wrote that after more than ten years of conflict in Yemen, both the Houthi rebels and Saudi Arabia and its allies have used hunger, blockades, and the destruction of hospitals and roads as weapons of war. ^[4] Ecuador imposed a red alert due to the strong intensification of the El Niño phenomenon. ^[5] Panama and El Salvador declared states of emergency to face the El Niño episode, which forced a reduction in ship traffic through the Panama Canal. ^[6] The International Organization for Migration launched an appeal to raise $110 million to protect 4.9 million people from the effects of El Niño. ^[7] In 2026, amidst tension between the United States, Israel, and Iran, the Houthis launched missiles against Israel and attacked Saudi tankers in the Red Sea. ^[8]