FAO mobilizes US$ 300 thousand to help initiate anti-locust effort in Yemen

Urgent Desert Locust control operations are required to safeguard crops and mitigate the risk of infestation in Yemen, as well as to prevent locust swarms from invading neighbouring countries. To partially address this, FAO has rapidly mobilized a total of US$ 300 000 (Three Hundred Thousand) to jumpstart a much-needed anti-locust campaign.  

• USD 100 000 from Belgium through the Special Fund for Emergency and Rehabilitation Activities.
• USD 200 000 from its own resources. 

In the first phases of what needs to become a larger-scale effort, FAO is already supporting relevant authorities to implement a number of urgent measures to support surveillance and control operations in the breeding areas. This includes purchasing equipment to increase the capacity of the Ministry of Agriculture for timely control of locust in the infested areas. The organization is also facilitating survey and control activities (including capacity building). 

In Yemen, breeding is expected to intensify in interior and coastal areas where the rains have been good. This will cause a further increase in locust numbers, including the formation of hopper bands and swarms.

Given the seriousness of the situation, all affected countries in the region must monitor the field conditions by mounting regular ground surveys and undertaking the necessary control measures whenever important locust infestations are detected. FAO stands ready to support governments and has already launched a general appeal to the international community to roll-out a coordinated response across the entire region.