ReliefWeb

CURRENT THREAT. The Sahel in West Africa faces the most serious Desert Locust threat since 2005. More than 50 million people could be affected in Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger.

Good rains this summer have led to unusually favourable ecological conditions that have given rise to a second generation of Desert Locust breeding in September. This could cause locust numbers to increase significantly with hopper bands forming in October and swarms in November, coinciding with the harvest of this year's crops in the Sahel. If control operations are not effective in Chad, Mali and Niger, numerous swarms could leave the Sahel when vegetation dries out (late October onwards) and migrate to Algeria, Libya, northwest Mauritania and, perhaps, Morocco.

ACTION. Given the seriousness of the current situation, action must be taken now to protect summer crops, contribute to food and nutrition security, safeguard the environment and reduce potential swarm migration to neighbouring countries.

National locust teams are conducting ground surveys in Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger, and control teams are being strengthened. However, interventions are limited in northern Mali due to insecurity and military escorts must accompany teams in northern Niger.

APPEAL. In June, FAO appealed for USD 10 million for carrying out the necessary survey and control operations in the Sahel this summer. On 3-5 September, a regional technical meeting in Nouakchott, Mauritania brought together the FAO, its Commission for Controlling the Desert Locust in the Western Region (CLCPRO) and the ten member countries, the World Bank and the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA). A regional plan was updated for Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger from September to November. Financial requirements remain the same as the June appeal.

So far, FAO has received a total of USD 3.1 million (France, USA, UK) and USD 1 million has been committed bilaterally. There remains a funding gap of USD 5.9 million.

CHRONOLOGY of outbreak events:
*May: immature groups and swarms arrive in northern Niger and Mali
*June: locusts continue to arrive until mid-month, mature and start to lay eggs
*July: egg laying and hatching in Niger and northern Mali
*August: egg laying and hatching continues in Niger and northern Mali; fledging commences in early August and adults maturing
*September: 2nd generation egg laying in Niger, northern Mali and Chad