United Nations, April 11 (RHC)-- The United Nations food relief agency has pledged to assist 1.6 million people hit by droughts exacerbated by El Niño in Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Haiti and building resilience against future climatic shocks.

Speaking at the end of visits to El Salvador and Guatemala to see the compounded impact of El Niño, one of the strongest in the last half century, World Food Program Executive Director Ertharin Cousin said that the agency planned to scale up to help the most vulnerable in the four countries through August.

The World Food Program needs 100 million dollars to assist 1.6 million victims of drought through August in Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Haiti.