Tuesday 21 January 2020

"Unprecedented!" Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia are suffering biggest locust swarm in 70 years: India, Iran, Pakistan, Egypt, Eritrea, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and Yemen are also seeing substantial breeding activity

FAO/Giampiero Diana Locusts can devastate crops and pastures.

  • Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia are dealing with desert locust swarms of “unprecedented size
  • Destroying hundreds of thousands of acres of crops, the outbreak is impacting the region’s food insecurity
  • Unusual climate conditions have favoured rapid locust reproduction
  • Left unchecked, the numbers of crop-devouring insects could grow 500 fold
  • Southwest Asia and the Red Sea area also affected

Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia are dealing with desert locust swarms of “unprecedented size and destructive potential” that could spill over into more countries in East Africa, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) warned on Monday. Destroying hundreds of thousands of acres of crops, the outbreak is impacting the region’s food insecurity. The UN agency urged for a collective campaign to deal with the crisis, concerned over the risk that the swarms spill over into more countries in East Africa, “if efforts to deal with the voracious pest are not scaled up across the region”.

Moreover, unusual climate conditions have favoured rapid locust reproduction. The agency stressed that as favourable breeding conditions continue, the increase in locust swarms could last until June. And left unchecked, the numbers of crop-devouring insects could grow 500 fold by then. Facing an unprecedented threat Kenya has not faced a locust threat of this magnitude in 70 years, FAO warned. The outbreak of desert locusts, considered the most dangerous locust species, has also affected parts of Somalia and Ethiopia, the likes of which have not been seen on this scale in 25 years.

South Sudan and Uganda are not currently affected, but are at risk, FAO added. In a press release issued on Monday, FAO Director-General QU Dongyu said the agency is activating fast-track mechanisms to support governments, warning that the situation is now of “international dimensions”. "Authorities in the region have already jump-started control activities, but in view of the scale and urgency of the threat, additional financial backing from the international donor community is needed so they can access the tools and resources required to get the job done," Mr Qu said.

Southwest Asia and the Red Sea area also affected

In addition, numerous desert locust swarms have been breeding in India, Iran and Pakistan since June 2019. And some have migrated to southern Iran where recent heavy rains have nurtured a breeding ground that could generate swarms in the spring. Egypt, Eritrea, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and Yemen are also seeing substantial breeding activity that could see locust bands expand into swarms in the coming months, FAO added. The agency concluded that it stands ready to leverage its expertise and facilitate a coordinated response. UN

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4 comments:

Unknown said...

Well I know Gary you're going to gloat about the Bible prophecy, Amen. Please consider if you will the technology development in man's ability to control the weather and set up the conditions for these infestations. Geo engineering, HAARP, NEXRAD manipulate the jet streams that are creating the extreme weather conditions. Granted
Granted man has created ripe conditions for disaster as well in using fossil fuel, plastics, unharnessed nuclear energy, etc, but geo engineering is amplifying those effects everyday.
Why would anyone think that a loving God would unleash this hell upon his children?? The evil in this man is destroying us with his well developed plan. I think they are creating and fulfilling the Bible prophecy to trick the believers to think God is punishing us. I'm not buying it!
How could the writers of the Bible possibly think man would be capable of such ingenious feats? Their knowledge was severe!y limited by today's standards. As is prophesied so it is, but please don't blame God!

Gary Walton said...

Well, have a look yourself, It's not a secret, it's free for everyone!

Gary Walton said...

The Sun will destroy this system of things, no doubt, geoengineering will fumble around trying to find an answer to global warming and will fail miserably, sorry, it is inevitable.

Gary Walton said...




Geo engineering is a sideshow, sorry but that's how it is