Responding to Datu Piang’s El Niño Crisis

The Philippines is one of the countries experiencing the impacts of El Niño, resulting in agricultural damage and water shortages across multiple provinces. Datu Piang in Maguindanao del Sur faces extreme heat conditions, with temperatures reaching hazardous levels for both agriculture and residents. In addition to the challenges El Niño poses, the residents also grapple with repeated displacement due to local conflict, further exacerbating their struggles. Since late 2023, our teams have been monitoring the impact of El Niño in the areas where we work.

Since late 2023, Action Against Hunger has been monitoring the impact of El Niño by working closely with the communities, local government units, local and national agencies, and other stakeholders.

El Niño is a climate pattern that describes the unusual warming of surface waters in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean. It typically occurs every few years and can affect weather patterns globally, leading to various climate changes such as increased rainfall in some areas and droughts in others.

This has affected more than 28,000 people according to the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council of Datu Piang. Crop failures have left four out of sixteen barangays with no income, hitting farmers and fisherfolks the hardest. An estimated 180 hectares of corn have been destroyed, amounting to a loss of approximately 1.6 million pesos. Additionally, groundwater levels in barangays along the Rio Grande de Mindanao River have dropped by 10 to 11 feet, equivalent to the height of a one-story building.

In photo: Action Against Hunger staff monitors the water level of local rivers in our areas of interventions.

The extreme conditions have forced farmers to halt the production of corn, rice, and vegetables due to the rapid depletion of water in creeks and river channels. Crops planted in late January 2024 did not survive, while those planted in late December 2023 to early January yielded only half of the expected harvest. All fishponds have also ceased operations. Because of this, many people are faced with limited livelihood opportunities and even food supplies. More than 2,000 farmers across all barangays in Datu Piang are affected. On April 29, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) government declared a State of Calamity for the entire region.

218 farming families in Datu Piang receive 50kg sacks of rice after Action Against Hunger activated the rapid response mechanism of the SUPREME-BARMM project funded by the EU Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO).

With a commitment to provide quick life-saving and inclusive emergency assistance to hazard-affected communities, Action Against Hunger, through the SUPREME-BARMM consortium project has activated a rapid response mechanism (RRM) with the support of EU Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid. The response includes providing food relief to support affected farmers for at least one month, or until the El Niño impact subsides and the anticipated transition to La Niña occurs between June and August. The RRM aims to strengthen the capacity of local institutions and communities to respond to emergencies, enhancing their resilience and preparedness for future incidents.

Despite the dire circumstances, the resilience and unity of the community offer a glimmer of hope. Efforts from the local government along with other humanitarian actors are vital in mitigating the crisis. Quick response efforts focused on food security and livelihood support are more crucial now than ever.

The Strengthening Resilience through Early Warning System, Enhanced Anticipatory Action, and Multi-risk Landscape Approach in Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (SUPREME-BARMM) Project is funded by the EU Civil Protection & Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) and implemented by ACCORD Incorporated, Action Against Hunger Philippines CARE, Community Organizers Multiversity, Humanity & Inclusion, Manila Observatory People’s Disaster Risk Reduction Network, Inc., Plan International, and Oxfam Pilipinas.

Written by Mark Dalin-as| Edited by Joyce Sandajan