{"id":158960,"date":"2020-04-27T12:00:14","date_gmt":"2020-04-27T11:00:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/?p=158960"},"modified":"2020-04-23T05:30:10","modified_gmt":"2020-04-23T04:30:10","slug":"second-wave-of-locusts-in-east-africa-said-to-be-20-times-worse","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/2020\/04\/second-wave-of-locusts-in-east-africa-said-to-be-20-times-worse\/","title":{"rendered":"Second Wave of Locusts in East Africa Said to Be 20 Times Worse"},"content":{"rendered":"

UN Warns of \u2018Alarming and Unprecedented Threat\u2019 to Food Security and Livelihoods in the Region<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Billions-strong locust swarms bring new starvation threat to East Africa. The Times<\/p><\/div>\n

\n

13 Apr 2020 – <\/em>A second wave of desert locusts is threatening east Africa<\/a> with estimates that it will be 20 times worse then the plague that descended two months ago.<\/p>\n

The locusts present \u201can extremely alarming and unprecedented threat<\/a>\u201d to food security and livelihoods, according to the UN. A swarm of just more than a third of a square mile can eat the same amount of food<\/a> in one day as 35,000 people.<\/p>\n

This second invasion from breeding grounds in Somalia includes more young adults which are especially voracious eaters.<\/p>\n

In its latest locust watch update<\/a>, the UN said the situation was \u201cextremely alarming\u201d as an increasing number of new swarms form in north and central Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia.<\/p>\n

\n
\"Desert <\/picture><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
Desert locusts in Kipsing, near Oldonyiro, in Isiolo county, Kenya. <\/strong>
\nPhotograph: Sven Torfinn\/FAO via AP<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Uganda<\/a> reported two swarms arriving last week from neighbouring Kenya, further destabilising food security and the livelihoods of people in the east and north of the country. The insects follow spring rains, seeking emerging crops and other vegetation.<\/p>\n