The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has appealed for assistance in mitigating the impact of a deadly African Migratory Locust outbreak reported since February 2020.
In a statement on Tuesday (today), SADC said the locusts initially affected eight countries in February; Botswana, Eswatini, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania and Zambia.
While the outbreak was brought under control in the eight countries, a resurgence of the pests in May is affecting Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Below is the statement by SADC in full:
A devastating African Migratory Locust outbreaks have affected Southern African Development Community (SADC) region since the beginning of the year.
The first outbreak which was first reported in February 2020 affected eight Member States namely; Botswana, Eswatini, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania and Zambia.
At the time, the affected Member States were able to control the swarms. However, there was a resurgence of the locusts in May, affecting Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Currently, the African Migratory Locust swarms in Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe have grown tremendously, rendering the on-going efforts implemented both at national and regional level inadequate.
The current outbreak has the potential to spill beyond the five affected Member States if not urgently controlled.
The outbreak poses a serious threat to the national and regional food security which already indicates high numbers of food insecure and vulnerable populations.
In light of this situation, Honourable Celso Ismael Correia Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development of the Republic of Mozambique will on Wednesday, 11th November 2020 launch a Regional Appeal on the African Migratory Locust Outbreak.
The Appeal aims to solicit support to complement the efforts that the Member States, Civil International Cooperating Partners are already making towards addressing the impacts of the locust outbreak.
