Papua New Guinea faces severe food shortages as El Niño brings frost and drought

Families across Papua New Guinea’s Highlands are facing depleted harvests and the threat of hunger after the El Niño weather pattern brought frost and prolonged dry conditions that have destroyed food gardens providing sustenance and income for thousands of households. The effects of El Niño emerged in recent weeks, bringing drought conditions, falling water levels and frost that are threatening food security in some of the country’s most agriculturally productive regions. According to Oxfam PNG, Papua New Guinea is currently the Pacific’s worst-hit country from the impacts of El Niño. The aid agency said rainfall had been below average for almost a year and, combined with frost in the Highlands and invasive pests, had destroyed crops and livestock. Oxfam PNG estimates that up to 3 million people could be affected nationwide, including a projected 1.9 million in the Highlands region. Communities that rely heavily on farming are already experiencing severe food shortages, with some reporting that food supplies may last only two to three months. The agency warned that households forced to reduce meals and eat less variety are at increased risk of malnutrition. Papua New Guinea’s National Weather Service says El Niño is causing severe drought and damaging frost by shifting rainfall away from the country and reducing moisture levels. …