Antalya, November 8, 2026. A powerful El Niño, rising food prices and drastic cuts to international aid are threatening the food security of millions of people, particularly in the Global South. The climate crisis is driving extreme weather events, while wars are disrupting major trade routes, pushing up the prices of energy, fertilizer and food. After two decades of progress, global hunger is rising again, according to the latest Global Hunger Index, one of the world’s most comprehensive reports tracking hunger at global, regional and national levels.
Ahead of the COP31 UN Climate Change Conference in Antalya, WHH is calling for greater investment in climate adaptation and a significant expansion of anticipatory humanitarian action.
“Cutting spending on preparedness today means paying a much higher price for the damage tomorrow. We cannot prevent droughts or floods from happening. But we can prevent them from turning into hunger catastrophes, if we act in time,” says Dunja Krause, climate expert at WHH.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has canceled his planned attendance at COP31, while Germany has also fallen short of its international climate finance commitment. Instead of the promised minimum of 6 billion euros, Germany provided just 4.7 billion euros in public budget funding for international climate finance in 2025.
“Germany wants to be a reliable partner to countries in the Global South, yet it is breaking its own promise. This sends the wrong signal, especially since private capital cannot simply fill the gap. According to the OECD, only 8% of mobilized private finance has so far been directed exclusively toward measures to adapt to the impacts of the climate crisis. The German government must fulfill its commitments through public funding and ensure that money reaches those most vulnerable,” says Krause.
Acting before hunger strikes
Somalia illustrates just how urgently anticipatory action is needed. After several failed rainy seasons, many families are struggling to find enough food. This year’s El Niño is now raising fears of severe flooding.
“After years of devastating drought, communities are now facing the threat of severe flooding. When fields are submerged, livestock die and markets become inaccessible, hunger will spread even further. We must not wait until people die when we can act today,” warns Dalmar Abdi Keysane, head of WHH’s programs in southern and central Somalia.
Food security must become part of climate policy
At COP31, WHH is urging the international community to agree on a binding plan to increase public funding for climate adaptation and ensure adequate financing for the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage. The fund supports vulnerable developing countries in dealing with the devastating consequences of climate change, including floods, droughts and the destruction of livelihoods.
The urgent need for additional funding is highlighted by the devastating flash floods in Nepal, which killed more than 1,450 people in late August, destroyed entire communities and damaged roads and bridges.
“Climate funding must reach those who need it most fast. That means investing in resilient agriculture, protecting soil and water resources, and strengthening local early warning systems. But we also need to accelerate the shift away from fossil fuels and fundamentally transform how we produce food. Food security must be central to climate policy, not an afterthought in global climate negotiations,” says Krause.
With financial support from Germany’s Federal Foreign Office, WHH is implementing anticipatory humanitarian action in numerous countries. In Somalia, for example, we are working with national partners to prepare communities for potential flooding. In Zimbabwe, we are supporting families early on with agricultural supplies, livestock feed and access to safe water.
Ethiopia: Scaling up successful approaches
Long-term climate adaptation works best when it builds on local knowledge and existing structures.
In Ethiopia’s Borana and Afar regions, solar-powered water systems are improving access to water for people and livestock while also supporting agricultural production.
“Communities are not starting from zero. They already have the knowledge and structures to manage climate risks. That is why we must strengthen what already works, with appropriate technology and reliable investment. Investing in secure water supplies also strengthens people’s livelihoods and food security,” says Sara Worku, WHH’s Country Representative in Ethiopia.
Ethiopia will host the 2027 UN Climate Change Conference, COP32, in Addis Ababa.
Dunja Krause, WHH’s climate expert, is available for interviews at COP31 in Antalya.
Further reading on COP31 by Dunja Krause:
Read WHH’s Global El Niño Appeal:
Welthungerhilfe is one of the largest private aid organizations in Germany; it is politically independent and non-denominational. With courage and determination, it is striving for a world without hunger. Since it was founded on December 14, 1962, 13,424 international projects in about 72 countries and territories have been supported with 5.76 billion euros. Welthungerhilfe follows the principle of empowering people to help themselves to sustainably improve their living conditions, through approaches ranging from fast disaster relief to reconstruction and long-term development cooperation projects with national and international partner organizations.
