[Organization of American States: El Niño may cause severe floods and droughts in many Latin American countries] October 27, 2020 The Organization of American States (OEA) warned on October 26, local time, that the El Niño phenomenon may reach "extremely strong" levels in the last few months of this year, causing severe floods and droughts, threatening energy security, food security and public health in Latin America and the Caribbean. The organization urges countries to strengthen disaster prevention and emergency preparedness. According to the organization's research, heavy rainfall could occur along the coast of Ecuador, northern Peru, south-central Chile and the Rio de la Plata basin, causing floods and landslides. Meanwhile, Central America, Caribbean islands, parts of Colombia and Venezuela, and the Amazon basin may face sharp declines in rainfall and severe drought. The organization pointed out that more than 200 million people in Latin America and the Caribbean already lack access to sustained and stable water supply, and drought may further exacerbate water shortages and affect hydropower generation and basic public services. In addition, it is estimated that 500,000 to 750,000 people in the "Dry Corridor" region of Central America may fall into a serious food security crisis due to water shortage.