"The current situation in East Africa remains extremely alarming as more swarms form and mature in northern and central Kenya, southern Ethiopia and probably in Somalia. As a result, the FAO has scaled up its desert locust appeal to Sh1.5 billion, noting that so far Sh1.1 billion has been pledged or received. “The current situation represents an unprecedented threat to food security and livelihoods that could lead to further suffering, displacement and potential tensions. Our absolute priority is to prevent a breakdown in pesticide stocks in each country as food security depends on the success of our control campaign,” Mr Ferrand noted. On Monday, aerial spray teams managed to spray more than 1,000 hectares with the aid of vehicle mounted sprayers and 300 hectares using motorised sprayers.

Source: Daily Nation April 16, 2020 11:48 UTC