ROME, ITALY – With the continued increase in desert grasshoppers in East Africa, the UK has donated £ 17 million to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to combat potentially devastating impacts.

A desert locust swarm covering an area of ​​1 km2 is able to consume the same amount of food in one day with 35,000 people, this pest poses a direct threat to food security and long-term resilience of millions of ag producers.

The funding came through the UK Department for International Development (DFID) and in addition to the previous contribution of £ 8 million donated earlier this year to appeal the desert grasshopper. Contributions from the UK will enhance ongoing efforts in East Africa, Yemen and Southwest Asia. DFID dedicates an additional £ 1 million to support a number of institutions, including Cambridge University, to develop the tools, technology and partnerships needed for effective pest control, forecasting and early warning activities.

“We are once again grateful to the UK for their consistent support, which will help protect food security and the livelihoods of vulnerable farmers and their families in Africa and Asia threatened by desert grasshoppers,” said QU Dongyu, FAO director general.

FAO utilizes the capacity of governments and other partners in affected countries with supervision and coordination, technical advice, supplies and equipment. The UN agency also provides livelihood packages to farmers, including caring for animals and food for animals that lack vegetation, and helping families who lose their crops with cash and agricultural inputs.

With FAO support, 1.3 million tons of plants have been protected. But the wave showed no signs of slowing down in the Horn of Africa.

According to the FAO desert grasshopper hub, there is still a serious risk of herd migration from the Horn of Africa to West Africa, India and Pakistan. Heavy spring rains in much of East Africa have only led to better breeding conditions for these pests, with the next generation herd potentially even greater than those currently being tackled.

“Although great gains have been made in the fight against desert grasshoppers, ongoing support is very important to overcome that threat,” Qu said. “The capacity to detect desert grasshoppers early is very important, including through the use of technology and partnerships, and for that we must work together.”

The latest FAO desert locust attraction is $ 311.6 million to handle the increase, including the Great Horn of Africa, Yemen, West Africa, Sahel and Southwest Asia. So far, $ 182 million has been received or made for appeal. This leaves a gap of $ 129.6 million.

FAO warned that without additional funding, control efforts could slow or stop by the end of September or October, potentially allowing the number of plant-eating pests to explode again in several places.