Locust attacks continue to threaten Kenya, Somalia; UN calls for International help

The UN has called for international help as the countries in East Africa are under Locust attack. It has been reported that millions of swarms of locusts have descended into Kenya from Somalia and Ethiopia, making it the worst outbreak of desert locusts in the region in 70 years.

According to a report by the UN, the pests are feasting on crops and destroying farmlands by consuming enough food for 35,000 people in a single day. While the locals have been left with threats of facing devastating hunger, farmers are reportedly afraid to let their cattle out for grazing.

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The number of locusts to increase by 500 times by June 2020

It has been further reported by the UN that there is a likeliness of the locusts growing in number up to 500 times by June this year. The probability of this happening is there as rains in the month of March will bring new vegetation across much of the region.

It has been estimated in the UN reports, that a single swarm can contain up to 150 million locusts per sq km of farmland. Abubakr Salih Babiker, a Nairobi-based climate scientist, has claimed that climate change has contributed to the ‘exceptional’ breeding conditions for the bugs.

Read | Locust Swarms Threaten East Africa's Food Security

The UN believes that aerial pesticide spraying is the only effective means to reduce the locust numbers. It has further said that around $70 million will be required for the resources.

The UN has urged for a collective campaign effort to deal with the crisis amid fears the swarms will spread into more countries in East Africa. The UN further pointed out the difficulty they will have to face while targeting some of the infested areas in Somalia, which are gripped by the al- Shabab extremist groups.

Read | 'This Is Huge': Locust Swarms Destroy Crops In East Africa

Locust swarms are breeding in other countries too

According to official reports, apart from East Africa, there are other countries like India, Iran, and Pakistan that have been witnessing breeding of desert locust swarms since June 2019. There are substantial breeding activities taking place among insects in countries like Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, and Yemen.

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(With inputs from Agencies)

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