Around 6.5 million people were newly displaced, almost twice as many as the 3.5 million during 2011. The conflicts in Syria and DRC were responsible for around half of the new displacements.

Hopper bands continue to form along the Nile River in Sudan

The Desert Locust situation continues to be serious in northern Sudan where a few groups of adults are still laying eggs, hatching is in progress and hoppers are forming small bands near crops along a 1,000 km stretch of the Nile Valley between Wadi Halfa and Ed Damer. Survey and control operations are in progress against mainly second instar hopper bands to prevent new swarms from forming in May.

Syrian Arab Republic: Armed conflict is causing large scale displacement and severely affecting people's safety and livelihoods.

Libya: Residual humanitarian needs mainly relate to internal displacement. The most vulnerable are those living in IDP settlements and camps, which are located in Tripoli, Benghazi and in the surrounds of Sirte, Misrata, Tarhouna and Dirj.

Iraq: Insecurity and protracted displacement continues to create significant humanitarian needs for many Iraqis.

The Desert Locust situation remained worrisome during February in the winter breeding areas along both sides of the Red Sea where locust infestations continued to increase. Adults formed groups and swarms in Egypt, Sudan, Eritrea and Saudi Arabia. Some of these moved into crops along the Nile River in northern Sudan, laid eggs and caused damage, while a limited number of groups and swarms moved north along the Egyptian coast where they could eventually threaten the Nile Delta. Substantial control operations were carried out by the three countries.

The Desert Locust situation deteriorated further in the winter breeding areas along the Red Sea during January. Locust numbers increased substantially as eggs hatched and hoppers formed numerous groups and bands in southeast Egypt, Sudan, northeast Eritrea and in Saudi Arabia. Swarms were also reported in these countries.
Control operations were undertaken, including aerial operations in Sudan and Saudi Arabia.

LA COMMISSION EUROPÉENNE,

vu le traité sur le fonctionnement de l’Union européenne,

vu le règlement (CE) nº 1257/96 du Conseil du 20 juin 1996 concernant l’aide humanitaire (ci-après dénommé «règlement concernant l’aide humanitaire») et notamment son article 2, en particulier le point c), son article 4 et son article 15, paragraphes 2 et 3,

The Desert Locust Situation improved in the Sahel of West Africa as locust numbers declined during December due to control operations in Niger and Mauritania and drying conditions. On the other hand, the situation remained serious in winter breeding areas along both sides of the Red Sea where adult groups and small swarms laid eggs, giving rise to hopper bands in Egypt, Sudan and Saudia Arabia.

La situation relative au Criquet pèlerin est restée préoccupante en novembre avec la formation de petits essaims au Mali, au Niger et au Tchad et le déplacement de groupes d'ailés au Nord vers la Libye, la Tunisie et l'Algérie.

The Desert Locust situation remained serious during November as small swarms formed in Mali, Niger, and Chad, and adult groups moved north to Libya, Tunisia and Algeria. And increasing number of adults were seen in Morocco and the Western Sahara. Locusts formed groups and small hopper bands in western Mauritania.