Central American nations activate emergency protocols as El Nino drought worsens
Panama and El Salvador have joined Honduras in declaring emergencies due to severe drought linked to El Nino, which has also reduced shipping through the Panama Canal. Both countries recorded their hottest June and July on record, heightening fears of food shortages. El Salvador issued a red alert for meteorological and agricultural drought, while Panama's interior minister said the measure prepares authorities for the coming impacts.
The drought has hit the Central American Dry Corridor, an arid strip spanning parts of El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua that is especially vulnerable to extreme weather events. Honduras has already placed 80 percent of its territory on alert, while the Panama Canal has cut daily ship traffic because water levels have fallen.
El Salvador's agriculture ministry is providing food assistance to rural families lacking irrigation systems, as the usually abundant seasonal rains have failed and destroyed crops. Peru, further south, declared a state of emergency in a third of its cities last week, citing risks to food production from intense heat and rain.
This drought could push subsistence farmers across Central America toward food insecurity, as rain-dependent harvests fail and government aid networks strain under multiple simultaneous emergencies. Reduced Panama Canal shipping may disrupt regional trade and global supply chains, affecting businesses and consumers beyond the immediate region. With record temperatures continuing into August, conditions could worsen before the El Nino pattern subsides, potentially deepening humanitarian needs.