The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation has in the past fortnight received some $18 million to fund the fight against the desert locust invasion currently devastating the region. This brings the total amount of donations to $40 million over the past couple of months.
FAO had appealed for $76 million, needed by March, to fully control the locust invasion. However, the UN agency said it will still take almost $138 million for rapid response and anticipatory action in eight countries on the continent
FAO director-general Qu Dongyu, while addressing donors in New York warned that the locust invasion could trigger a humanitarian crisis. He said FAO had so far received around $22 million of the $76 million requested to assist the five countries initially impacted. But he expected needs to increase amid concern that the outbreak will continue to spread to other countries.
“It is clear that already vulnerable populations could easily be pushed into a major humanitarian crisis unless we act fast to protect their livelihoods,” a FAO circular quoted Mr Qu.
On Monday, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation committed $10 million.
“The foundation’s support is intended to help FAO and national governments confront the critical need for rapid control of the infestation, including aerial control of large swarms,” said a press release by the Foundation.
