UN urges global community to act fast to combat East African locust outbreak

Speaking on the sidelines of the 36th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the African Union on Saturday, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres requested that countries pay attention to the ongoing locust crisis in East Africa, Trend reports citing Sputnik.

“The UN has issued an urgent appeal for assistance. I ask the international community to respond with speed and generosity to ensure an effective response and control the infestation while we still have the chance,” he said while in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa on Saturday, according to Xinhua News Agency.

Heavy rainfall in late 2019 has recently brought swarms of desert locusts to the Horn of Africa, resulting in a severe loss of crops and an overall endangerment of the livelihoods of people in the region. Earlier this month, Somalia’s Ministry of Agriculture declared a national emergency over the “uncommonly large” infestation.

“There is the risk of a catastrophe,”

David Adams

Article URL : https://en.trend.az/world/other/3189832.html