The project will also facilitate vaccination against livestock diseases. ©FAO

FAO Ethiopia received USD 2 million from the United States International Disaster Assistance to support pastoral and agro-pastoral communities mitigate the negative impacts of desert locusts and COVID-19.

About 98 000 households will receive vouchers that will be redeemed for animal feed and forage seeds that are expected to extend the supply of good quality fodder. The project will also facilitate vaccination against livestock diseases. Furthermore, targeted households will receive assorted improved cereal, pulse, and vegetable seeds.

Since 2019, Ethiopia has been responding to the largest desert locust invasion in over 25 years, which has caused major damage to crops, pasture, and rangeland. The upsurge has negatively affected household incomes, pushing millions of people deeper into food insecurity. Pasture shortages caused by the desert locust are forcing some pastoralists to travel longer distances or to utilize different routes in search of available grazing land and water.

 In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic and related restrictions have resulted in a significant slowdown of agricultural support services, limited access to production inputs, and increased post-harvest losses. FAO is implementing this project from July –December 2021 in Afar and Somali regions.

Contact

Rachel Nandelenga

Communications Consultant

FAO Ethiopia

[email protected]

Tamiru Legesse

National Communication Officer

FAO Ethiopia

[email protected]