HIGHLIGHTS

• Agricultural crop production, food and nutrition security, and livelihoods of some million people in Chad, Mali and Niger are currently threatened by Desert Locust infestations, the most serious since 2005.

• Locust numbers could increase 250 times by the end of the summer in West Africa; insecurity and lack of access in locust-­affected areas limit survey and control operations.

• Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger already face an expected shortfall in food production this year.

• If control operations are not effective in Niger, Mali and Chad this summer, numerous swarms could form and invade Mauritania, Algeria, Libya, and, perhaps, Morocco from October onwards.

• Funds are urgently required so that national locust control units can carry out operations and FAO can ensure proper overall emergency campaign coordination.

• Action must be taken now to protect the summer crops, contribute to food and nutrition security, safeguard the environment and reduce potential swarm migration to adjacent countries.