On 19 August, Honduras declared a drought emergency, and a week later it expanded its red alert from 75 to 103 municipalities. On 25 August, El Salvador and Panama both declared nationwide states of emergency to speed up their drought response through 2027.
El Salvador recorded a 41% rainfall deficit in May and went 19 days in a row without rain from 7 August.
When the rains fail
The Dry Corridor runs through Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua. Many families grow their own maize and beans and rely on the rain to water them. When it fails, both food and drinking water run short.
El Niño often brings a long mid-summer drought to the region, and forecasters expected a record-strength event by 2027.
What water security changes
- Food: rainwater harvesting keeps crops alive through dry spells.
- Health: safe drinking water when wells run low.
- Stability: families can stay on their land instead of leaving.
How you can help
Share this story and follow organisations helping farmers in Central America adapt to drought.
Source: OCHA, “Latin America & The Caribbean Weekly Situation Update”, 28 August 2026.
