East African nations hit by swarm invasion: Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia

Several East African nations including Ethiopia, Somalia and Kenya are struggling to cope with a swarm invasion that has lasted over a month, causing panic in the agriculture, aviation and public sectors.

The locusts, part of the grasshopper family, have led to what the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has termed the “worst situation in 25 years” in the Horn of Africa as the region is suffering its worst invasion for decades.

FAO says these grasshopper swarms can be up to one kilometre wide, contain up to 80 million hungry little pests, and travel up to 130 kilometres per day.

Having formed in eastern Ethiopia and northern Somalia, they have moved through the region, possibly still threatening South Sudan and Uganda.

In tis article, we highlight the threat posed by the locusts in different nations and how authorities have coped.

Several East African nations including Ethiopia, Somalia and Kenya are struggling to cope with a swarm invasion that has lasted over a month, causing panic in the agriculture, aviation and public sectors.

The locusts, part of the grasshopper family, have led to what the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has termed the “worst situation in 25 years” in the Horn of Africa as the region is suffering its worst invasion for decades.

FAO says these grasshopper swarms can be up to one kilometre wide, contain up to 80 million hungry little pests, and travel up to 130 kilometres per day.

Having formed in eastern Ethiopia and northern Somalia, they have moved through the region, possibly still threatening South Sudan and Uganda.