Mitigating Africa’s and Asia’s Locust Infestation amid the COVID-19 Pandemic

About the Event

These are exceedingly difficult times for farmers in East Africa and South Asia. Amid the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic, swarms of locusts numbering in the hundreds of billions are inundating the regions—the worst infestation of its kind in 25 years. In East Africa, the FAO believes the oncoming second wave of locusts “represents an unprecedented threat to food security and livelihoods because [the second wave] coincides with the beginning of the long rains and the planting season.” 

The aim of the event is threefold:

• Deliver a detailed update on the locust infestations in East Africa and South Asia – their scope, trajectory, and current level of damage
• Summarize FAO’s efforts in affected areas to mitigate the swarms, noting key challenges, proven interventions, and the economic costs of inaction
• Identify policy actions necessary to prevent widespread food insecurity in affected areas