Ethiopia | Desert locust situation report (August 2020)

Key messages: 

• Since the beginning of August, mature swarms crossed from Yemen, reaching Afar (Afambo, Elidare, Mile, Adar, Chifra and Awar). FAO has repositioned two planes in Afar to intensify control operations
• Active movement of immature DL swarms between Somalia and eastern Ethiopia
• Continuous ground and aerial survey carried out in Afar, SNNP, Somali, Amhara, Oromia and Tigray regions
• Active aerial controll operation continues in Afar, eastern parts of Somali and Oromia
• The situation in SNNPR is calm. A DLIS alert is preparing for residual swarms from Kenya that may find there way northward
• The situation in Yemen remains suitable for desert locust swarming, which is a threat to northeast Ethiopia: the Ministry of Agriculture is on high-alert for the whole of July 2020 and beyond
• The condusive climatic conditions (above-average rainfall) (above-average rainfall) and the massive presence of DL in Yemen lead to forecast an increase of DL presence from September 2020 onward