Real-time evaluation of FAO's response to the desert locust upsurge 2020–2021

Over the course of 2020, the most devastating desert locust upsurge of the past 25 years spread across parts of the Middle East, the Greater Horn of Africa, and South West Asia. The upsurge posed an unprecedented risk to livelihoods and food security in some of the most food insecure countries in the world. FAO and its partners mobilized more than USD 163 million since January 2020.

The response included three key pillars:

• curbing the spread of desert locusts (including surveillance)
• safeguarding livelihoods and promoting recovery and
• coordination and preparedness of the rapid surge support.

The FAO Office of Evaluation conducted a real time evaluation, across three phases spread over one year. Each phase covered specific aspects of the response. 

Phase I focused on leadership, management and coordination of the response and was conducted between June to October 2020.

Phase II focused on results as well as management and operations at country level.

Evaluation phases I and II highlighted the significant contributions made by FAO across full spectrum of preparation, surveillance and control of locust swarms and livelihood protection in the Horn of Africa and Southwest Asia. The logic of FAO’s intervention covered three pillars i) locust survey and control ii) livelihood protection and iii) coordination and preparedness.

Phase III drew lessons for future operations and FAO’s work on desert locust in the Region.

Phase III found several areas for potential improvement in the future, in order to better prepare for, and respond to, future desert locust upsurges in the Horn of Africa and Yemen.

Documents

Related links

Infographic