A strengthening El Niño is set to bring drought to South and Southeast Asia and heavy flooding to East Africa, arriving just as war and rising fuel and food prices are already pushing families to breaking point.
Through Muslim Aid's El Niño Appeal, your donation enables early, life-protecting action, reaching families with seeds, clean water, and food before the crisis peaks. Act now to prepare communities, protect livelihoods, and stand with those in the path of this coming shock. Let us be the change before disaster strikes. Donate Now.
What is El Niño and why does it matter?
El Niño is a natural weather pattern where parts of the Pacific Ocean heat up, disrupting rainfall around the world. Forecasters at the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and national meteorological agencies expect it to strengthen through the second half of 2026 — with some warning it could reach "Super El Niño" strength, among the most powerful events on record, reshaping rainfall across the countries where we work.
For communities already stretched thin by conflict, displacement and rising prices, even a single failed harvest or one damaged water source can be the difference between coping and crisis. That is why Muslim Aid is acting on forecasts now, guided by WMO global outlooks and the National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHS) that remain the authoritative voice in every country we work in.
What does this mean globally?
Drought risk
Rainfall deficits expected across parts of South & Southeast Asia — including Pakistan, Indonesia and Afghanistan.
Flood risk
El Niño brings forecast of above-average rainfall across East Africa, threatening Somalia’s upcoming Deyr rainy season.
Rising costs
Global fuel and fertiliser price volatility is inflating both farming costs and the cost of aid delivery.
Compounding conflict
Active conflict in Gaza, Syria, Sudan, Yemen and Somalia reduces communities' ability to cope with any climate shock.
With over 40 years of development and emergency aid experience, Muslim Aid works through trusted field teams and partners to reach vulnerable communities quickly and effectively, even in the most volatile environments. Whether responding to drought, flooding, or displacement, our focus remains the same: protect life, preserve dignity, and restore hope.
Today, families across Pakistan, Somalia, Bangladesh and beyond are facing the early warning signs of a strengthening El Niño. Your generosity allows us to act before the crisis peaks, reaching those most at risk with the water, food, and support they need to withstand what's coming.
Our Programme Areas
Guided by the Muslim Aid Technical Strategy for Anticipatory Action, our response is built around four connected areas of work:
Water Security
Help fund solarising community boreholes, rehabilitating wells, and distributing water purification units.
Livelihood & Agricultural Protection
Provide stress-tolerant seeds, livestock feed, and support for soil conservation.
Health & Nutrition Readiness
Help pre-position therapeutic food and supplies for waterborne disease outbreaks following flooding.
Community Preparedness & Early Action
Support local early warning systems, contingency planning, and community awareness before hazards strike.
Act now to save lives
Could help train community volunteers in disaster preparedness.
Could help a farming household access climate-resilient seeds and begin restoring their livelihood.
Could help pre-position emergency nutrition supplies for vulnerable communities.
Could help rehabilitate a community water source in preparedness for disaster.
Identify and support children at risk of malnutrition through community screening.
Could help set up early warning systems and strengthen preparedness planning for entire communities exposed to El Nino.
Families across our countries of operation are being hit by two crises at once. Conflicts and disrupted shipping routes are pushing up the cost of fuel, fertiliser and food, while a strengthening El Niño brings drought to parts of Asia and heavy flooding to parts of East Africa. Even where food is still in the market, many families can no longer afford it and when harvests fail too, there is nowhere left to turn.
With your donations, we can act before this crisis peaks. Your generosity will go towards providing drought-resistant seeds, clean water, solar-powered wells, and emergency food supplies, protecting families on both fronts, before prices double and harvests are lost.
...so that you may store grain during the years of plenty for the years to come...
When aid agencies wait until disasters hit news channels, prices have already doubled, and aid buys half as much. But Allah (SWT) taught us a better way through the story of Prophet Yusuf (AS).
Prophet Yusuf (AS) used foresight to store grain and prepare before the multi-year crisis arrived. He protected his people through preparation, not just reaction. Through Sadaqah as Prevention, Muslim Aid is acting today.
Surah Yusuf, 12:43 - 49 — the foundation of our approach to anticipatory action.
Funds raised from this appeal, will enable Muslim Aid to deliver all of its activities, including responding to humanitarian emergencies across the globe.
We are a faith-based British international charity that provides help to people who are victims of natural disasters or conflict or suffering from poverty, hunger, disease, homelessness, injustice, deprivation or lack of skills and economic opportunities.
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Serving humanity since 1985.
