Locust threat terrorizing northern Sudan -UN

The UN and a Sudanese ministry found earlier this month “substantial locust egg laying and hatching over a 1,000km stretch” across northern provinces of Sudan. Locusts are the swarming phase of certain species of grasshoppers that can breed rapidly and become migratory when their populations become dense enough.Its adults can travel great distances consuming practically all green material wherever the swarm settles, greatly damaging crops. UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has warned of an imminent food insecurity emergency if the desert locust threat is not controlled.“Desert locust swarms could ravage Sudan’s spring and summer crops and pastures this year if urgent locust control measures are not implemented”, part of a statement read. Urgent actions are being launched by the Sudanese Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) to control the insects before they can become immature flying locusts, FAO said.The agency has reportedly mobilized $1 million to assist the Sudanese government in controlling the threat in northern Sudan.According to a joint mission by MoA and FAO, the areas most threatened by locust in Sudan range from Wadi Halfa in Northern State to Atbara in River Nile State.Photo: Location of desert locust bands in northern states of Sudan (FAO) -OCHA report