A severe drought fueled by El Niño is creating a growing food crisis across Central America.

A new assessment by Oxfam and Action Against Hunger found that approximately 91,000 rural households have been affected across parts of Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador.

The damage to farmers has been especially severe.

Nearly 79% of corn-growing households surveyed lost between 75% and 100% of their crops, while almost two-thirds of bean-growing households reported losses at the same level. More than 23,000 households have also experienced reduced access to their main water supply. 

The crisis is hitting Central America’s Dry Corridor, where many families depend on corn and beans both for food and income.

Governments are already responding. Honduras has placed large parts of the country under drought alerts, El Salvador has declared a nationwide red alert, and Panama has declared a national emergency as El Niño intensifies. 

The drought is expected to remain a major concern heading into 2027, putting additional pressure on food supplies, water access and families across the region.