FAO and Ethiopia discuss the current Desert Locust outbreak in East Africa

27 February, 2020, Rome - FAO Director-General QU Dongyu met today with Gedu Andargachew, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia. The parties discussed the current situation with the Desert Locust outbreak in East Africa, as well as ways to prevent its further spread. 

The Minister thanked the Director-General for the FAO support in combating the world's most dangerous migratory pest, noting that $50 million of the regional appeal for $135 million, launched on 24 January 2020 to tackle the Desert Locust crisis, are destined for control operations and livelihood support in Ethiopia. 

Andargachew informed the FAO chief that $8 million received so far are being used to procure essential equipment and services, including rental of planes, procurement of pesticides, spraying and protective equipment, vehicles, health kits, fuel and other related items. 

The Minister noted, however, that if the situation continues to worsen, as per the current forecasts, the locust plague could trigger another crisis in May in the country. He explained that by that time the Desert Locust will be feeding on the new grasslands affecting Ethiopia’s large pastoral communities, their livestock and the whole food chain.  

During the meeting, the parties highlighted the vital role of agriculture for the country’s economy and the need to integrate technology, investment and capacity building to achieve further development in the sector.