In the face of the impending 'super' El Niño, a looming climate catastrophe, the regional director of CARE International in East and Southern Africa, Walter Mwasaa, sounds the alarm. Mwasaa's concern is not just about the environmental impact but the disproportionate effect it will have on women, particularly in the context of aid cuts. The super El Niño, a naturally occurring climate phenomenon, is set to exacerbate regional droughts and increase rainfall in other areas, threatening global agricultural output and food security in Africa. Mwasaa's insight is that women, especially in rural and urban communities, will face the brunt of these challenges, bearing the burden of caring for families and households while also facing health risks. This perspective is supported by research, which shows that climate-induced disasters lead to a 40% rise in child marriage and force girls into long water walks instead of school. Moreover, depleted household savings post-disaster often prioritize sons' education over daughters', and pregnant women require dietary diversity during poor harvests. The situation is further complicated by aid cuts, which have gutted CARE's programming in East and Southern Africa. The regional budget is expected to fall from $250 million in 2024 to $140 million by 2027, with Ethiopia's programming worth $130 million reduced to $15 million and Somalia's health and nutrition centers closing due to lack of funding. Mwasaa sees this as a critical moment for pan-African cooperation, where countries are pledging support for each other and national governments are taking food security more seriously. However, he also acknowledges the challenges of engaging with Western development partners, who often struggle to provide products that African countries need or can afford. In conclusion, Mwasaa's perspective highlights the urgent need for a rethinking of global aid, with a focus on supporting women and girls in the face of climate change and aid cuts. The super El Niño is not just an environmental threat but a social and economic one, and addressing it requires a comprehensive approach that considers the unique challenges faced by women in affected regions.
