· The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) at the
Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) is donating CHF 1 million
to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
for combating massive infestation of locusts in East Africa.
· The FAO appealed to the international community for US$ 76
million to help stem the outbreak, mitigate the damage caused by this
pest and support the families affected
The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) at the Federal
Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) is donating CHF 1 million to the
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) for
combating massive infestation of locusts in East Africa. The SDC is
also planning to mobilize additional funding in partner countries, if
the situation persists.
The countries have been severely hit by locust infestation are
Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya. Thousands of hectares of farmland have
been destroyed, threatening the lives and livelihoods of millions of
people already struggling with food insecurity. swarms of locusts are
now heading toward Uganda and South Sudan.
The FAO appealed to the international community for US$ 76 million to
help stem the outbreak, mitigate the damage caused by this pest and
support the families affected. Switzerland has already contributed CHF
1 million in support of this appeal and would contribute more if it is
required.
Ensuring food security in Somalia, Ethiopia and northern Kenya has
been a priority for Swiss development aid since 2013. About 12 million
people are affected by the locusts infestation across the countries.
The resources raised would be used to support affected households,
deal with the locust infestation and stop swarms from spreading.
