Browsing: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

Better prepare East Africa: desert locust threat is not over 

By Kawira Mutisya 

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is seeking funding to continue with its fight against desert locusts in Eastern African countries affected by the menace.  

Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia and Sudan continue facing a threat from the desert locusts.  According to a statement from FAO, action to control unprecedented desert locust infestations in the Horn of Africa last year has succeeded in protecting crops and livelihoods. The UN agency is now seeking $38 million funding to sustain operations against new incursions and continue work in these countries.   

FAO says that this is urgent because without this support, the 28 aircraft that patrol the skies to spot and spray swarms could be grounded as early as March. 

In the latest desert locust invasion update by FAO, swarms continue to invade the Horn of …